At a Glance
- Third largest health care provider in Marin, serving over 31,000 patients/year; almost 40% are children
- Clinics in Larkspur, Novato, and San Rafael (medical, dental, and teen)
- Patient Centered Health Home model, which focuses on the patient/clinical team partnership
- Pediatric, Family and Adult Medicine – primary care, obstetrics and gynecology, family planning, behavioral health, and specialty care
- Pediatric and Adult Dentistry
- Optometry, Radiology, Pharmacy, Lab, Chiropractics, and referrals to specialists
- Weekly Community Health Hubs with fresh food pantries
- Over 400 staff, including doctors, dentists, nurses, and other clinicians
- Accept Medi-Cal, Medicare, Covered California, and other insurances; patients without insurance receive sliding scale discounts
A special thanks to all of you who have welcomed me as Marin Community Clinics’ new CEO. This year promises to be another exciting one for us. Our theme: “Leveling the Playing Field in Health Care.” Read below to learn more about our priorities – and be assured that we will continue to report on our progress.
Wishing you a healthy 2018. And, as always, our thanks for your continued support.
Mitesh Popat, MD, MPH, CEO
Our 2018 Priorities
Although we care for patients from many walks of life, the majority come from low-income households and many continue to be without insurance or have other barriers to receiving care.
In 2018, Marin Community Clinics’ overriding goal will be to level the playing field in health care.
Our priorities:
✓ Increasing the depth and breadth of our services and providing the full scope of care, including more specialty services and promoting new wellness initiatives
✓ Expanding our Charity Care Fund, through which donors make it possible for patients without insurance to receive care such as advanced imaging services
✓ Continuing the successful transfer of the County’s dental and medical services
✓ Serving a broader base of patients, including more patients with Medicare
✓ Addressing key social barriers through partnerships such as a pilot with Whistlestop
✓ Increasing our technical capacity to enhance both patient communications and outreach to those in need
✓ Advocating for the protection of care for our vulnerable populations
This newsletter is available in both email and print. Let us know if you would like to be included in future mailings – email gifts@marinclinics.org or call 415-526-8527.
Patient Care News
Transfer of County Dental Services a Success
In mid-November, the County of Marin transferred its dental services to Marin Community Clinics – the first step in a well-coordinated plan to transfer medical, dental and infectious disease services to our organization.
Patients will continue to be seen in the same location as before (the County’s San Rafael facility on 4th Street) but are being cared for by the Marin Community Clinics dental team and under our management.
Connie Kadera, DDS, our Chief Dental Officer, reports that Marin Community Clinics saw over 900 former County patients the first month.
“It’s going very well,” she reports. “Both the County and the Clinics have worked hard to make this an easy transition for patients. To eliminate wait times, we are using an appointment system and have a dedicated chair for dental emergencies. Also, we’ve brought in additional staff from our other dental clinics and made some nice facility upgrades.”
The 4th Street clinic is now open 6 days/week for adults and 5 days/week for children. The goal is to treat 40 pediatric patients and 32 adult patients each day. County medical patients with TB, Hepatitis C, and HIV will be transferred in early February.
Your Donations Ensure Our Future
Donors Spread Holiday Cheer to Pediatric Patients
There were big smiles on the faces of our pediatric patients in December! Every year, congregation Rodef Sholom sponsors Mitzvah Day to engage its members in acts that benefit Marin’s social service agencies. This year, they decorated and then donated teddy bears to our pediatric patients. Also, a few of our donors purchased books or stuffed animals as holiday presents for our youngest patients.
Interested in Leaving a Legacy of Care to Marin Community Clinics?
On March 1, we are hosting a lunch to honor our Legacy Circle members. We invite you to join us.
Our Legacy Circle is comprised of donors who have made a commitment to our Clinics in their will or estate plan, or who have made gifts to our Endowment Fund at the Marin Community Foundation. They are as dedicated to our mission as our Board of Directors, Executive Management Team, health care providers, and staff. Legacy Gifts ensure that Marin Community Clinics will be here for many years to come.
If you would like to attend the luncheon, contact our Development Department at gifts@marinclinics.org or call 415-526-8527 by February 15. You can learn more about the Legacy Circle by visiting marinclinics.org/support-us. Or, just give us a call.
Leadership Spotlight
Meet Dr. José Chibrás, our new Chief Medical Officer
In November, José Chibrás, MD was appointed Chief Medical Officer (CMO). As senior medical leader, he oversees all clinical staff members and volunteers, as well as our Quality Improvement Department.
Dr. Chibrás, an internal medicine physician specializing in the care of older adults, had served as Associate CMO since 2016. Prior to joining our Clinics, he was the medical leader at several other community health centers in Northern and Central California.
“Dr. Chibrás is not only a superb clinician, but a strong leader with a deep understanding of the role that we play in the health of the community,” says CEO Mitesh Popat, MD, MPH.
“I chose to dedicate my career to working in the community health setting where we can really make a positive impact,” says Dr. Chibrás. “It was a natural choice for me. It’s my calling.”
Fluent in Spanish, he is a graduate of Michigan State University College of Human Medicine and completed his residency at the University of Iowa and Michigan State University.
Visit www.marinclinics.org/support-us for a convenient way to donate in support of our mission.
