Many people know of the Rotary Club International as a fun and effective community service organization with chapters all over the country, including our local Rotaries in Pacific Grove, Monterey, Carmel, Salinas and Seaside.
But did you know that the Rotary Club founded and funds free healthcare clinics that are specifically set up for the working poor?
RotaCare Clinics are operated by RotaCare Bay Area, Inc, and are located in Concord, Daly City, Gilroy, Half Moon Bay, Mountain View, Pittsburgh, San Jose, San Leandro, San Rafael, Santa Cruz and Seaside.
RotaCare Bay Area, Inc. is a volunteer alliance of medical professionals, organizations and community members dedicated to providing free primary, quality healthcare services to uninsured families and individuals with limited ability to pay for medical care. They are entirely volunteer driven and supported solely through locally based philanthropy.
The Monterey Peninsula RotaCare Clinic in Seaside is fully staffed with three volunteer physicians, including a pediatrician. Volunteer staff also includes two or three nurses and at least three clerical from the local Rotary Clubs and community. They are a non-invasive, acute care facility; however, they have many physicians that do pro-bono work outside the clinic as needed. They have a transfer agreement with Community Hospital that takes care of all blood tests, x-rays, ultrasound and cardiograms. Because they also have an agreement with corporate Walgreens, RotaCare Clinic patients pay nothing for their medications, including over-the-counter medications.
The RotaCare Clinic is at 1150 Fremont Blvd in Seaside. The hours are every Wednesday evening, 5:00pm to 9:00pm. The care is provided first-come-first-served. You do not need an appointment. The care is free to those who are not on Med-Cal or Medicare, but who are unable to afford healthcare insurance. The phone is (831) 659-8037 for further information.
