Mabuhay Health Center History

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UCSF PUSO held yearly community health fairs, but there was poor continuity of care. Patients presented annually with the same health problems. An informal needs assessment by UCSF medical students showed a need for culturally sensitive holistic care, especially for Filipinos in the South of Market district.

MHC is founded by then-UCSF medical student, Alvin Teodoro, MD. Recognizing the great need for health education in the community, Alvin Teodoro establishes MHC to provide the community a space to talk about their health conditions. Gavin Newsom, previous mayor of San Francisco, officially designates December 5, 2009 as “MHC Day”.

MHC is awarded the Top 40 under 40 Readers Choice Award by 7x& Magazine and expands services to youth at Bessie Carmichael School. With the generous sponsorship of the Gilead Foundation, MHC provides Hepatitis B and HIV screenings. Health education is expanded to the South of Market youth at the Filipino Education Center of Bessie Carmichael School.

Behavioral Health Initiative begins. To combat the stigma of mental illness and need for mental health care within the Filipino population, MHC establishes the Behavioral Health Initiative to begin screening for mental health conditions under the mentorship of Jei Africa, PsyD.

MHC employs UCSF Center for Excellence in Primary Care’s health coaching curriculum to train volunteers. All volunteers are Health Coach trained and certified in Mental Health First Aid by the national Council for Behavioral Health to be equipped with the tools for communication and dedicating patients empathetically.

MHC holds its annual 5K Walk/Run community fundraiser. To sustain MHC operations, MHC holds its first annual 5K Walk/Run fundraiser at Golden Gate Park. Stata workshops are introduced to volunteers. MHC has representation at Mr. Hyphen. Health coaches are incorporated into patient huddles.

Dental services return, and Strategic Planning begins. The Public Health Committee implements monthly health education topics, and dental services are provided through UCSF School of Dentistry. Monthly Youth Programs curriculum is established along with monthly health education topics.

MHC pursues more robust outreach and volunteer immersion programs. MHC establishes a stronger presence by creating partnerships with and outreaching to community organizations to increase visibility. Volunteer & professional student education and preceptorship becomes a greater focus. Clinic attendance by target population increases.

MHC hosts 1st Kabuhayan Health & Wellness Expo, and the Behavioral Health Committee is established. MHC hosts first health & wellness expo, Kabuhayan, to provide the community a social event with health resources and healthy cooking demonstrations. Filipino Cultural Values workshops are incorporated into health coach training.