What do you benefit most from being a member of NCPC?
Being a member of the NCPC has multiple benefits to VCC, as a fellow nonprofit. The resources that NCPC offers are of great value to our organization, as it brings new connections, gives the organization an environment to solidify existing relationships, an opportunity to share ideas and grow our philanthropic involvement. Having the space that the NCPC offers is absolutely invaluable to our growth as an organization that serves the greater good of the community.
What is your Mission?
VCC’s mission is to advance community health and hope by providing access to premier health services and education for those who need it most.
What do you offer to the community?
VCC focuses on the health and wellbeing of the local community, and beyond. Patients of all ages and stages of life are welcome and encouraged to access the care that is provided. With a wide range of services, VCC provides something for everyone in need, with the goal of creating a community where everyone has the opportunity to grow to his or her highest potential and thrive, by “choosing health”:
- Adult Medicine
- Pediatrics
- Women’s Health
- Prenatal Care
- Dental
- Optometry
- Podiatry
- Acupuncture
- Chiropractic Care
- Behavioral Health
- Insurance Enrollment
- Food and Diaper Distribution
- Youth Programs
- Social Support
- Free Pregnancy Testing
- Medically Assisted Treatment Program
- Medical Assistant Training and Education
- Gender Affirming Care
What was your organization/company’s biggest accomplishment in the past six months – one year?
The past year has been a challenge for everyone in this country and around the world. One of our biggest accomplishments during this challenging last year was simply staying open as a strong healthcare organization on the frontlines throughout a global pandemic. Our doors never closed and we continued to provide access to the health and wellness services that our patients and communities need. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our clinicians, staff, and leadership team, VCC was quick to adapt to an unprecedented situation in a safe way so that potentially life-saving care was never interrupted. Not only did we ensure the continuation of prescriptions, professional medical access, immunizations, and labs, we were also there as a safety net for anyone that needed insurance coverage or help navigating the system, as shut downs and job losses began to affect large portions of the population.
One of the single biggest accomplishments to come out of this consistency in service was our medical mobile unit. This unit offers no-cost COVID-19 testing to all members of the community at any age. Initially created to extend the reach of our care to those experiencing obstacles to access, it has allowed VCC to bring testing directly into neighborhoods, opening up access to every member of the community. The response has been tremendous and provided a much needed service at a delicate time.
What event/program or campaign do you have coming up that you would like to share with our readers?
VCC is constantly involved in so many facets of the communities we serve; we provide food and diaper distributions on a weekly basis, are currently working with UC Davis to deliver COVID-19 education to local farmworker populations, are working on ways to increase cancer screenings and other preventive care measures, and so much more. With a plethora of programs and campaigns running around the clock, the best way for readers to stay updated on what VCC is doing is to subscribe to our newsletter by emailing Betsy Heightman, VCC Chief Development Officer, at Betsy@vcc.org.
As a nonprofit community healthcare center, VCC relies heavily on outside support to continue its mission of health and hope, and this is where businesses and individuals can make the biggest impact. Donations are happily accepted all throughout the year, and our most involved events can be found by visiting: http://www.vistacommunityclinic.org/get-involved/.
Our annual gala event is VCC’s single biggest fundraiser of the year, and has been set, virtually, for Saturday, August 14,, 2021, at 6:00pm. This important event helps establish new connections, raise awareness, and re-energize our mission in a big way. This event can be a real game changer for VCC and the over 70,000 patients it provides care to. Though the gala is several months away, it’s never too early for readers to sign up or learn more. Sponsorship opportunities are also available at a variety of levels. For more information, please email Betsy Heightman at Betsy@vcc.org.
What changes/opportunities have occurred due to COVID-19?
COVID-19 has significantly disrupted the normal processes of VCC. As a community healthcare center, our normal days, pre-pandemic, included a high volume of patients coming and going to appointments, for prescriptions, for walk-in care, etc. Once COVID-19 hit, VCC had to change the entire process of who could enter our locations and how they could access care. To mitigate the spread and allow for social distancing, VCC was no longer able to allow walk-in care, and set up check-in areas outside of the clinic doors to properly screen patients coming in for their appointments. To accommodate the number of appointments allowed on-campus, VCC clinicians began to provide Telehealth, or virtual appointments, whenever applicable. VCC also established new policies to ensure optimal patient health and safety, including but not limited to: enhanced disinfecting of exam rooms between every patient, requiring all employees to wear face coverings at all times, and screenings and temperatures of all staff prior to entering the clinic. VCC is also taking the extra step to schedule patients who are sick or symptomatic at different locations than patients who are well or are visiting the clinic for chronic disease follow-up appointments.
Have you made a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion within your organization/company and if so, how are you demonstrating it?
VCC’s foundations are based in diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our mission is to provide access to care for all members of our community regardless of not only insurance status or income, but also regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation. To that end, VCC provides programs and job opportunities to as many different segments of the community as possible. Understanding that the communities we serve are naturally diverse, the organization strives to not only be inclusive in its offerings, but to also look like who we represent. From our board to our front desks, the face of VCC is diverse in all ways. We offer language translations at visits, provide culturally competent care and training, pursue programs that target marginalized groups, and work toward connecting our communities with equitable access of all resources.