OUR MISSION

Clínica Martín-Baró's mission is to provide a preferential option for the underprivileged in health care. We strive to promote wellness and address the health care needs of the underserved and economically disadvantaged Spanish-speaking community of the Mission District of San Francisco. We provide access to free basic health care, psychotherapy, and health education in Spanish all in a culturally sensitive manner.

OVERVIEW

Clínica Martín-Baró is a student-organized free clinic operating Saturdays out of the Mission Neighborhood Centers, Inc. It is a collaboration between medical students and faculty from the UCSF School of Medicine, and undergraduates from the SFSU Latin@ Studies Department. We work together to serve while learning about the social and medical conditions facing immigrants. We provide a space for student volunteers to develop and strengthen a socio-economic analysis of the state of healthcare in the U.S, and an educational environment to create life-long advocates for underserved communities. We encourage, support and empower low-income students of color to pursue higher education (including but not limited to medical school) and a career that will benefit the needs of such communities.

HISTORY

Clínica Martín-Baró was created and established in January of 2007 by two SFSU alumni, Dr. Caro Monico and Dr. Zoel Quinonez, former students of Professor Felix Kury. While completing their studies at UCSF medical school, Monico and Quinonez began forming the organization with Professor Kury in 2005. The commitment among the volunteers has grown over the years. Dedication has grown because student volunteers want to be a part of something bigger than themselves, have the power to make their own decisions, and do something that they have wanted to do their entire lives. From the inception of our Clínica, the Medical Director was Dr. Rene Salazar, until May 2016. His successor is Dr. Manuel Tapia and the Program Director is Professor Felix Kury, who was a personal friend and colleague of Ignacio Martin-Baro, S.J.

SPONSOR