The History of Salud Para La Gente, A Network of Family Community Health Clinics

ABOUT US - OUR HISTORY

Salud Para La Gente

Salud began in Watsonville 1978 as a storefront “free clinic,” was incorporated in 1980, and is a leader in providing health care for low-income families in our community. Salud has evolved into a primary health care network with 12 clinic sites, in Watsonville and Santa Cruz, including 7 school-based clinics in the Pajaro Valley Unified School District (located in southern Santa Cruz County and north Monterey County), an adult day health center called Elderday in Santa Cruz, and administrative offices in Watsonville. Salud provides comprehensive primary health care services for the entire family, currently including medical, dental, eye care services and adult day health care.

A nonprofit public benefit corporation with tax exempt status, Salud is designated a Federally Qualified Health Center (“FQHC”), and focuses on providing cost-effective, high quality primary health care accessible to the underserved low-income communities, in the Monterey Bay area, primarily Santa Cruz County and North Monterey County. Salud’s funding comes from Medi-Cal, Medicare, and other insurance reimbursements, government and other grants, sliding scale private payment, and donations.

1978—Salud begins operating as a free clinic in Santa Cruz County

1980—Salud incorporates as a California public benefit nonprofit corporation

1989—Salud serves the community in downtown Watsonville as an emergency response center after the Loma Prieta earthquake

1991—Salud acquires its first owned facility at 204 E. Beach St., Watsonville

2001—Salud acquires Clinica Del Valle Del Pajaro, a local nonprofit health clinic.
Salud provides dental services for the first time

2004—Salud acquires Elderday Adult Day Health Care in Santa Cruz, from Community Bridges, a multi-purpose social service nonprofit.
Salud opens its first clinic in the City of Santa Cruz: Beach Flats Health Center
Salud begins Optometry and Ophthalmology services at Clinica del Valle del Pajaro
Salud acquires OB/GYN practice in Freedom, CA and Hector Magaña, M.D. joins Salud
Salud begins operating its first pharmacy

2005—Salud opens Elderday Pajaro Valley in Watsonville
Salud begins Optometry and Ophthalmology services at 204 E. Beach St.
Salud moves Elderday Santa Cruz to its current location at 100 Pioneer Street, Suite C, Santa Cruz
Salud moves its administrative offices to 195 Aviation Way, Watsonville and then to 45 Nielson St, Watsonville

2008—Salud sees over 18,800 patients and has over 102,600 patient encounters in calendar year 2008
Salud begins dental service at Clinica del Valle del Pajaro

2009—Salud receives a grant from Driscoll's Strawberries for mobile outreach to farmworkers in the fields
Salud receives over $303,000 in federal stimulus funds (ARRA) to hire additional providers.
Salud moves its administrative offices back to 195 Aviation Way, Watsonville to remodel the premises at 45 Nielson Street in order to create additional clinic space including exam rooms.
Salud and Pajaro Valley Unified School District launch school based clinics in 5 elementary schools in the District, will continue to provide services in 2 middle schools, and will continue its existing referral programs from 1 District middle school and from the District’s 2 high schools in Watsonville.