RotaCare Provides Care for those with Least Access By Jatinderpal K. Sahi February 5, 2019 General gender, equality, physician magazine, smcma During the early years of my career, I started working in non-profit health clinics. I gained a better understanding of how the healthcare system worked, especially for those who are either uninsured or who were trying to get into the Medicaid system. The healthcare system is complex, with fragmentation in areas we least expect. Understanding the system was not an easy undertaking, and its changing every year. I finally found the ultimate career path for me when I joined RotaCare Bay Area Free Medical Clinics in 2015. RotaCare is a volunteer-driven organization of free medical clinics, with two in San Mateo County - Half Moon Bay (Coastside) and Daly City (Northern Peninsula). The clinics provide free medical services to the uninsured. Even with more health coverage options today, there are still many individuals that do not have any health insurance. With the affordability of the Bay Area changing in recent times, the patients are working families, with no or little access to basic health care services. With skyrocketing costs of coverage over the past few years, many working families are left with no option other than to go uninsured. Since 1989, the 10 RotaCare Bay Area Free Medical Clinics have provided free health care, including exams, diagnostics and pharmaceuticals. Last year, RotaCare handled over 10,000 patient visits throughout the greater San Francisco Bay Area. RotaCare keeps thousands of people, many of whom suffer from disabling conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol and asthma, from using the ER for their primary care or perhaps from not getting medical care at all. RotaCare’s mission is to bring free medical care to those who have the most need and the least access to care. RotaCare is unique for three main reasons: It is a volunteer driven organization. The clinics are staffed by volunteer Physicians, Nurses, Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, Pharmacists, interpreters, administrative staff, etc., with the exception on average of one half-time paid clinic operations manager at each location. The RotaCare clinics are free medical clinics. Patients are provided with medical care by volunteer professionals. Not only are the medical exams free, but patients are also given free medication and sent for radiological exams and lab work when necessary. RotaCare is not funded by the government in any way. RotaCare relies on private donations, grants, and foundation funding. RotaCare is always looking for support in the form of volunteers. The heart of the organization is the volunteer groups that support the clinics with their valuable time. It has been an honor for me to serve as the CEO of such an amazing organization that provides basic services to a population that needs it. Jatinderpal K. Sahi can be reached via email at Jatinderpals@rotacarebayarea.org. << Gender Study of SMCMA Membership Helping The Most Vulnerable Members of Our Community >>
