EXPANDING ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE
SAN YSIDRO HEALTH’S COMMITMENT TO URBAN AND RURAL COMMUNITIES
San Ysidro Health (SYHealth) is celebrating an important milestone as its last surviving Founding Mother, Mrs. Carmen Martinez, turns 100 this year! The organization owes its existence to seven exceptional women, including Mrs. Martinez, who came together with a common mission that would set the tone for health and well-being in their community for generations to come. With their families in tow, they often had to make a day-long journey, transferring from bus to bus, to receive medical care at University Hospital in Hillcrest. Recognizing the need for a solution, they became the Club de Madres de San Ysidro, a collective effort aimed at providing affordable and culturally appropriate healthcare in their own neighborhood, helping their children and the community at large. Over 50 years later, SYHealth is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing high-quality, equitable, and accessible care and supportive services to the culturally diverse and traditionally underserved population of San Diego County. As a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), SYHealth provides healthcare (medical, dental, and behavioral health) and support services to more than 145,000 of San Diego’s most vulnerable and underserved populations. To honor their founding mothers’ legacies and to continue their work for healthcare equity, SYHealth is proud to announce the opening of two new clinics in Julian and South Bay.
Julian Family Medicine Dental Clinic
Rural communities face unique challenges in accessing healthcare due to factors such as geographical isolation, limited clinics, lack of transportation, limited essential services, medications, and healthy food options. Among these challenges is the scarcity of dental health professionals, which forces people in rural areas to travel long distances for oral healthcare. Limited public transportation exacerbates this issue, particularly for low-income residents.
To address this disparity, SYHealth proudly introduced the Julian Family Medicine Dental Clinic. Recognizing the significance of oral health in overall well-being, the clinic aims to provide accessible and affordable dental care; and is a crucial step towards bridging the healthcare gap. Moreover, a state-of-the-art clinic offering primary health, behavioral health, and social services is scheduled to open in Julian in 2024.
South Bay Pediatric Clinic in Chula Vista
South Bay Pediatrics Clinic recently opened in Chula Vista. Located at 280 E Street, this clinic focuses on providing high-quality, compassionate, easily accessible, and affordable medical services for pediatric patients.
The successful opening of the South Bay Pediatrics clinic required state-of-the-art equipment, furnishings, and amenities to create a respectful and welcoming environment for economically challenged patients. By installing culturally proficient and age-appropriate décor, SYHealth aims to mitigate the boredom and stress often experienced by children in waiting and exam rooms.
The City of Chula Vista’s population is expected to increase by approximately 40% between 2010 and 2050, with a significant percentage being children. SYHealth’s new South Bay Pediatrics facility addresses the need for increased access to culturally proficient pediatric healthcare, particularly for this population.
SYHealth firmly believes that every individual, regardless of their zip code or financial capabilities, deserves the opportunity to lead a healthy life. The organization remains dedicated to ensuring equitable access to healthcare across all communities. However, they cannot achieve this mission alone. To learn more about their efforts and support, visit www.sandiegogives.org/organization/Sanysidrohealth. Together, we can make a significant impact in fostering healthy communities throughout San Diego County.
