Open Door Community Health Centers was founded with a vision to provide excellent health care and health education to an underserved part of California, at a time when the region suffered from a shortage of access.

Starting as a single clinic in 1971, Open Door now has 12 community health centers across Humboldt and Del Norte counties a service area larger than the state of Connecticut serving more than 55,000 patients a year and employing almost 600 members of the community.

A patient-centered medical home (PCMH) is a model of patient care that uses a team-based approach and emphasizes care coordination and communication across specialties to achieve an excellent patient care experience and help lower medical costs.

Open Door has Federal Public Health Service (PHS) deemed status with respect to certain health or health-related claims (including medical malpractice claims) for itself and its covered clinicians/practitioners and support staff.

Open Door was founded in 1971, with a vision of providing high quality health care and health education to a rural, underserved part of California, at a time when the region suffered from a shortage of access to health care services.

Open Door was born from the efforts of local community leaders and volunteers in Arcata. The first clinicthe Humboldt Open Door Clinicoperated on the site of a former bank, until it could afford to move to a larger location.

Herrmann Spetzler became Open Doors Chief Executive Officer in 1977, building on the clinics early volunteer-driven programs, activism, and optimism, and leading the organization through turmoil, adaptation, and growth, until his unexpected death in 2018. Throughout his lifetime of leadership, Herrmann Spetzler championed the cause of community and rural healthcare at the State and Federal levels.

Herrmann, along with his wife and Open Doors Chief Operations Officer, Cheyenne Spetzler, initiated and cultivated innovative programs and initiatives at Open Door and beyond, in service of lowering barriers and increasing access for patients to health care services. Programs such as Open Doors Nurse Practitioner and Family Medicine residency programs, mobile health services, patient navigation services, and a telehealth-focused health centerof particular benefit to rural communities, where specialty care can be limitedare a testament to their vision.

One initiative that embodies Open Doors vision of integrating health services is Open Doors Health and Wellness Gardens. Staff and volunteers maintain community gardens at health centers throughout Humboldt and Del Norte counties, which are both sites of learning and provide seasonal produce for patients, for distribution at the health centers. Programs like this, along with initiatives such as the food pantries at all Open Door health centers, where patients and community members can get nutritious food items, contribute to county and community efforts to combat food insecurity.

From its humble beginnings in 1971, as a volunteer-run clinic in Arcata, Open Door now has over 600 employees and operates a network of twelve community health centers and clinicsacross an area larger than the state of Connecticutserving over 59,000 of our friends, family, and neighbors.

Fifty years on Open Door has grown and changed, but its mission remains the sameto provide quality medical, dental, and behavioral health services, and education to all, regardless of financial, geographic, or social barriers.

Humboldt County Board of Supervisors has recognized Open Door as the Best Place to Work in Humboldt. Thomas Steenblock, from the Telehealth & Visiting Specialist Center in Eureka, accepted an award on behalf of Open Door. On behalf of Open Doors board of directors, executive leadership, and all its providers [...]

By Erik Salholm|2021-12-29T05:48:56-08:00December 28th, 2021|Burre Dental Center, Del Norte Community Health Center, Eureka Community Health Center, Ferndale Community Health Center, Fortuna Community Health Center, Humboldt Open Door Clinic, McKinleyville Community Health Center, Member Services, Mobile Health Services, News, NorthCountry Clinic, NorthCountry Prenatal Services, Redwood Community Health Center, TVSC, Willow Creek Community Health Center|Comments Off on Check Out Our 2022 Holiday Opening Hours

Check out our opening hours for the upcoming holidays. All Open Door sites will be closed on: Friday, December 31, 2021: New Year's Day Observed Monday, January 17, 2022: Martin Luther King Jr. Day Monday, February 21, 2022: Presidents Day Monday, May 30, 2022: Memorial Day Monday, July 4, [...]

Support Group for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Survivors and Family/Partners/Caregivers About the group: The groups are part of a Community Partnership Project through HSU's Masters in Social Work program, and will be facilitated by a Humboldt State Universitys Masters of Social Work Program student intern and MHWC staff. Making [...]

Welcome back to our monthly podcast celebrating Open Doors 50th Anniversary! As we come to a close on this very special series, we are happy to have Open Doors president Tory Starr as guest this month. In this episode we get to hear about Torys homesteading adventures, oyster sales, [...]

On December 3 this year, during the annual celebration of people with disabilities, the 2021 theme is Fighting for rights in the post-COVID era. This year, we are celebrating the challenges, barriers and opportunities for people who live with disabilities, in the context of a [...]

World AIDS Day has been observed on December 1, with the purpose of honoring and remembering the millions who have been lost to the epidemic and to bring attention to HIV/AIDS and show support to those currently living with it. World AIDs Founded in 1988, [...]

November 13-19 is Trans Awareness Week, when communities and organizations around the world raise awareness about transgender people and the barriers they face in trying to live happy, authentic lives. This week ends with Transgender Day of Remembrance, on November 20. [...]

Welcome back to our monthly podcast celebrating Open Doors 50th Anniversary! We have a very special guest this month, our patient Amber Madrone has kindly shared their time with us. In this episode we discuss their personal life, experiences with Open Door, and hopes for the future. Join us [...]

Smith River Flu and COVID Vaccine Clinic.Date: Sunday, November 7th from 2-5pmWhere: Smith River School, Smith River, CAYou can receive both the fly and COVID-19 shot at the same time.Clnica de Vacunas contra la Gripa y COVID en Smith River.Fecha: Domingo 7 de noviembre de 2-5pmDonde?: Escuela Primaria Smith RiverPueden [...]

Welcome back to our monthly podcast celebrating Open Doors 50th Anniversary. For this episode we collected our favorite moments from our 50th anniversary celebration podcast. Take a listen to hear some of our favorite moments!