West County Health Centers, Inc. is a private, non-profit Federally Qualified Health Center, receiving Section 330 grant funding from the federal government to provide quality health services to the whole community, regardless of ability to pay. We strive to provide a medical home for patients, ensuring that they experience continuity of care and have a secure place to come for all of their healthcare needs. At West County Health Centers, our expert team of professionals helps patients successfully manage and integrate wellness practices into their daily lives. West County Health Center is governed by a dedicated consumer and community ledBoard of Directors.

West County Health Centers offers full scopeprimary medical,anddental careas well asmental health services.OurHIV/AIDS primary care programis one of the original grantees for Ryan White Title III funds.

West County Health Centers highly qualifiedhealth care teamconsists of physicians, mid-level providers (Family Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants), dentists, psychotherapists, and nurses, and are supported by medical and dental assistants, outreach workers, and administrative staff. All of our employees are committed to providing compassionate and accessible care for all members of our diverse community. Many of our staff members are bilingual in several languages, including Spanishand Vietnamese.

As a patient for 18 years, whose husband was also a patient, I know that the highest standards of medicine are practiced lovingly throughout our six sites. The West County Health Centers combine the best in medical care with cutting edge technology and access for all. This care is a team effort that is both compassionate and result orientated. They want us to remain healthy but if we cant they are here to help in every way possible. JENNIFER NICHOLS,WEST COUNTY HEALTH CENTER BOARD MEMBER

West County Health Centers deliver health care to an important cross-section of our community including elementary age children whose parents cannot otherwise afford the medical care needed to keep them healthy and active in schools; those who are not accepted elsewhere due to HIV/AIDS, homelessness, mental illness or addiction; those in the community who lack the financial resources to pay for quality health care, as well as many others. No patient is turned away from West County Health Center for lack of funds.

In 2020, WCHC provided over half a million dollars of uncompensated care for low-income and uninsured patients. More than 60% of our patients are living at or below the federal poverty level and an estimated 300 people designated as homeless live in our service area.

The Russian River Health Center first opened its doors to the community of West Sonoma County in 1974 and the neighboring Occidental Area Health Center opened in 1976. Both of these health centers were started by community members and utilized doctors from the National Health Service Corps. After many years of collaboration, the two independent health centers formally merged as West County Health Centers, Inc. (WCHC) in January of 2000.

For over 40 years, the health centers have been recognized as invaluable assets within the community and have continued to serve the growing and diverse needs of the people of West Sonoma County. Our service area covers hundreds of square miles stretching from Fort Ross to Valley Ford and from the Pacific coastline into Sebastopol, with an estimated population of 60,000.

Since our inception, we have grown to become one of the finest community-based healthcare organizations in Sonoma County. We provide high quality, comprehensive health services, particularly to the growing number of underserved and marginalized populations in the area. Today our services include medical, dental, and mental health care delivered through our seven sites which include: Sebastopol Community Health Center, Gravenstein Community Health Center, Russian River Health Center, Occidental Area Health Center, Russian River Dental Clinic, Forestville Teen Clinic, and the Forestville Wellness Center.

The West County Health Centers Board of Directors is comprised of 12 dedicated community members with experience in business, law, real estate, human resources, education and healthcare. Nine out of twelve members of the Board use WCHC as their primary medical home and all twelve live within the West County Health Center service area.

In 2008, we opened the Sebastopol Community Health Center as a paperless office, implementing the Electronic Health Record as a pilot program. Since then, Sebastopol Community Health Center has expanded to become our largest primary care site as well as a home for our specialty services such as orthopedics, neurology, and surgery consults. We continue to optimize the functioning of our electronic health records, including expanded implementation of the Patient Portal, a secure electronic connection between patients and providers.

In 2010, we expanded our HIV/AIDS program which began in 1982 at the Russian River Health Center when Dr. Marshall Kubota diagnosed the first case of AIDS in Sonoma County. Since then our HIV program has become a model and a leader in the integration of HIV care in a primary care setting. We offer free HIV testing services at all sites, and conducted a very successful anti-stigma campaign to promote HIV testing. Our Russian River Dental Clinic also supports care for our HIV positive population.

Since 2013, West County Health Centers has assisted thousands of patients and community members with obtaining healthcare coverage available through the Affordable Care Act. More than 3,000 of our existing patients received coverage through the expanded Medi-Cal program and Covered California insurance plans. Our county has one of the highest enrollment levels in the State including many young people and adults who have been without a source of coverage for decades.

In September 2014 we opened a second primary care site in Sebastopol, the Gravenstein Community Health Center, which has capacity to provide services for 3,600 local residents, in addition to the 12,500 patients being served at our other sites.

In October 2015, we received Federal funding to develop a Healthcare for the Homeless program for the lower Russian River area. The program includes comprehensive medical, dental, behavioral health and substance use treatment as well as outreach and other services for this vulnerable population. A stand-alone clinic will eventually be co-located with the Countys Homeless Services Center.

In November 2015, the West County Health Centers Innovation Hub opened adjacent to the Gravenstein Community Health Center in Sebastopol. The Innovation Hub is a dedicated space to work on new and innovative ways of delivering care for our patients and improving health in our communities by focusing on ways to improve patient care through creative solutions to work flows and technology implementation. The WCHC Innovation team works with new companies and health tech startups who are interested in doing business with Safety Net Providers and developing technology solutions geared toward health information, literacy, and resource challenges.

In December 2016, a tragic fire destroyed the original Russian River Health Center building. Services have continued in temporary locations and we plan to build a new, state-of-the-art facility in downtown Guerneville by the end of 2022.

Occidental Area and Russian River Health Centers were incorporated in 1976 and 1974 by local citizens. In January 2000 a merger took place to create West County Health Centers. We are a private, non-profit, Federally-Qualified Health Center governed by a twelve member volunteer Board of Directors.

Jorge and his wife have six children ages 8 and under. Jorge is the sole wage earner for his family and suffers from seasonal allergies that at times aggravate his asthma so badly that he cannot work. When the condition would become severe, he would go to the local hospital emergency room for treatment and would receive a small stock of allergy medications. The hospital referred Jorge to the Occidental Area Health Center for follow up care. After understanding that he would qualify for the sliding scale program, he began coming in for medical services. The Access Coordinator at the Health Center also helped to enroll Jorges three eldest children with the Healthy Kids program, which provides medical and dental coverage for children.

Arturo came into the counseling office feeling suicidal two years ago. He was a 40-year-old man with a history of chronic back pain and social anxiety disorder. He began coming regularly to therapy sessions and slowly a plan was made to help him get unstuck from his situation. As with many patients suffering from depression, Arturo had long neglected his medical and dental care. Bob Butler, West County Health Center Director of Mental Health Services, referred Arturo to Dr. Davey to see how his back problems might be addressed. Dr. Davey worked with Arturo, showing him ways to take care of his back and not re-injure himself. He came to understand that, with proper self-care, he could return to work. Arturo was also referred to our dental clinic, eventually easing some discomfort he was having and improving his appearance. Arturo noted that both of these events gave him confidence and made him feel much better about himself. His access to both therapy and medical intervention has helped him overcome the challenges that he faced, and he is now back on his feet.

John has been a patient of the Occidental Area Health Center for many years. John is a west county resident in his late fifties and is diabetic. With the implementation of the Diabetes Management Program, John has begun coming to the Occidental Area Health Center on a regular basis. John has one very specific barrier that is impeding his disease management. John has very few teeth, and by necessity has to eat soft foods. The health educator at Occidental Area Health Center works with him to find foods that are easy to prepare and contain less carbohydrates and sugars for his diabetes. John has been attending the diabetic clinics on a regular basis. This, in conjunction with a more nutritious and consistent diet, has helped John to better manage his diabetes. His providers agree that he has made a marked improvement.

Lana was living in a small trailer in Guerneville and had become reclusive since her partner passed away 3 years ago. She suffered from diabetes and had begun to have severe neurological pain. She developed foot ulcers but was able to manage the ulcers with weekly visits to the Russian River Health Center. Lanas health was deteriorating rapidly. Lana didnt want to enter any type of institution as she was afraid of being judged regarding her sexuality. The staff at Russian River Health Center worked hard to help her maintain her independence for as long as possible. In-home support was arranged to provide her assistance 3-4 hours a day. The health care worker also helped her to become more socialized into the community, driving her to the food bank and around town for other errands. Her appearance improved, and her weekly visit to the Health Center was an important social connection. Unfortunately, her medical issues became more complex and she was admitted to Palm Drive Hospital. Although she has moved into a full time nursing facility, she is still seen by a Russian River Health Center provider and hopes to become stable enough to return home again.

Robert was an established patient at the Russian River Health Center and agreed to join the first HIV Self Management group established by Russian River Health Center in 2006. This group had 10 members and met monthly for 8 sessions. Each participant chose a specific issue and worked on an action plan that broke the issue down into how exactly it would be handled. Robert had mobility problems with his neck that were affecting his physical activity. He was a youthful 50 year old who enjoyed volunteering at the local food bank and helping out at the Guerneville Senior Center. For Roberts targeted health goal, he decided to work on his overall fitness and well being, so he enrolled in a local yoga class. After several months of continual attendance he had gained substantial flexibility and mobility. Robert realized he was not as tired and he began to feel very good about himself and his accomplishments. Yoga had become a part of his lifestyle. At the end of the last session, Robert thanked the group for their support and guidance and stated that the experience had truly changed his life.