Tzu-Chi Free Clinic, Los Angeles

In 1993, the USA branch began to evaluate the need of medical services in Southern California where the branch office is located. Tzu-Chi commissioners visited several free clinics and realized a free clinic was needed in the San Gabriel Valley area for people who do not have health insurance and cannot even afford basic medical services. The needy population include many new immigrants, senior citizens, and the homeless. Therefore, Tzu-Chi Free Clinic was many new immigrants, senior citizens, and the homeless. Therefore, Tzu-Chi Free Clinic was established in November 1993 with the following objectives:

• To provide free medical care for financially disadvantaged patients regardless of their age, sex, race or religious affiliations.
• To ensure children's health by providing preventive health care.
• To promote the public's awareness of the importance of preventive medical care and to educate the general public on pertinent health issues.
• To provide emergency medical relief to disadvantaged and disastrous areas.

SERVICES
Currently the clinic provides several outpatient care services:

• Acute general care
• Chronic disease care (triage and referral)
• Dispensary of proper medication
• Gynecology
• Herbal medicine / Acupuncture
• Mental health care education
• Minor surgery
• Pediatric services (vaccination)
• Limited podiatry
• Psychiarty (family consultation)
• Well child exam
• Well child screening
• Basic woman's health care services

1998 OUTREACH LOCATIONS

1. Alhambra Downtown Spring Festival & Health Screening (Alhambra, California)
2. Mexico Outreach Project (Macovio Rojas & Tijuana, Mexicali)
3. Hope for Kid's immunization campaign (Alhambra, California)
4. San Bernardino County Health Fair (Alhambra, California)
5. City of Ten Thousand Budda Temple (Talmage, California)
6. Los Angeles County Fair (Pomona, California)
7. Hallejuah Korean Church (Rowland Heights, California)
8. Back to school Physical Check-up (Alhambra, California)
9. Bone Marrow Drive (Hollywood, California)
10. Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Seminar (Alhambra, California)
11. Cancer Prevention Health Fair (Alhambra, California)
12. Head Start / State Pre-school, Biweekly School Immunization & Dental Program (Rosemead, California)
13. San Bernardino County Health Fair (San Bernardino, California)
14. International Medical Relief Project (Lima Peru)
15. Los Angeles County Fair (Pomona, California)
16. Pasadena City College Fourth Annual Health & Safety Fair (Pasadena, California)
17. Mammogram and Pap Smear (Alhambra, California)
18. Mexico Outreach Program (Monita, Mexico)
19. Community Healthy Family Festival (Rosemead California)
20. Flu Shot (Alhambra and Monrovia, California)
21. Downtown Mission (Los Angeles, California)
22. Foothill Unity Center (Monrovia, California)
23. Head Start / State Pre-school immunization & Dental Health Fair (Azusa, California)
24. Mark Keppel High School (Monterey Park, California)
25. Annual Health Fair (San Bernardino, California)

VOLUNTEER PARTICIPATION
With only 12 full-time and part-time employees, the clinic relies on volunteers to carry out 95% of its daily operation. Every day, there are two shifts of volunteers working at the free clinic. Each shift requires the teamwork of many volunteer doctors, nurses and administrative volunteers. They are a total of 340 active volunteers, and each volunteer worked 196 hours on average during the past year. In fact, many volunteers worked multiple shifts throughout the week. All staff members dedication helps the free clinic to win the recognition and acclaim of many local newspapers and city officials.