VOLUNTEERS IN MEDICINE - SAN FRANCISCO

CLINIC BY THE BAY IS A FREE CLINIC THAT IS THE MEDICAL HOME FOR WORKING UNINSURED PEOPLE IN THE BAY AREA. THE CLINIC IS THE SAFETY NET FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NO OTHER AFFORDABLE OPTION FOR HIGH-QUALITY, COMPASSIONATE PRIMARY, ACUTE, CHRONIC OR PREVENTATIVE MEDICAL CARE. SINCE 2010 OUR GOAL HAS BEEN SIMPLE, BUT AMBITIOUS: OPERATE A FREE, VOLUNTEER-POWERED HEALTH CLINIC THAT PROVIDES HIGH-QUALITY, PRIMARY CARE TO THE HARD WORKING UNINSURED MEN AND WOMEN IN OUR COMMUNITY BECAUSE THEY SIMPLY CANNOT AFFORD TO SEE A DOCTOR, A MAJORITY OF OUR PATIENTS COME TO US ILL OR SUFFERING FROM CHRONIC DISEASE THAT HAVE GONE UNCHECKED OR UNDIAGNOSED FOR YEARS. EVERY DAY, WE ARE AWARE THAT FOR MOST OF THE WORKING UNINSURED IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, OUR FREE CLINIC IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH. EVEN WITH THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT, NEARLY 90,000 PEOPLE REMAIN UNINSURED IN SAN FRANCISCO AND SAN MATEO- MANY OF THIS POPULATION IS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD...MISSION DISTRICT, EXCELSIOR AND NORTHERN SAN MATEO COUNTY. LEVERAGING MEDICAL PARTNERSHIPS THAT ALLOW US TO SUPPORT OUR PATIENTS BEYOND OUR DOORS. CLINIC BY THE BAY IS AFFILIATED WITH VOLUNTEERS IN MEDICINE (VIM). VIM IS A NONPROFIT THAT ENGAGES AN OFTEN UNTAPPED WORKFORCE - RETIRED PHYSICIANS, NURSES, EDUCATORS AND OTHERS - TO PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE PRIMARY CARE TO THE UNINSURED AND UNDERSERVED. THEIR MISSION IS INSPIRING: "MAY WE HAVE EYES TO SEE THOSE WHO ARE RENDERED INVISIBLE AND EXCLUDED; OPEN ARMS AND HEARTS TO REACH OUT AND INCLUDE THEM; HEALING HANDS TO TOUCH THEIR LIVES WITH LOVE; AND IN THE PROCESS HEAL OURSELVES."