Heritage
“Our patients come from every walk of life.”
– DR. SERGIO RODAS
Chief Medical Officer, Camino Health Center
WHO WE ARE
Camino Health Center is the premier community health center serving the underinsured or uninsured residents of south Orange County through its three health center locations in Lake Forest, San Clemente, and San Juan Capistrano. Staffed with dedicated, service-driven professionals, it is evident when a patient walks through the doors, they have entered high quality, customer-focused, health center. Many staff, even medical providers, were once health center patients themselves, and have a keen sense of empathy towards the struggles faced by those without medical insurance or who are underinsured.
At Camino Health Center, the health and dignity of our patients come before the bottom line. As a designated Patient-Centered Medical Home, there are cutting edge practices the health center follows. First and foremost, the patient is considered a key participant in the design of their treatment plan. Another key principle of the health center is integrating care; our care teams work together to ensure the whole patient is cared for – mind, body, and spirit. Medical services are seamlessly integrated with Behavioral Health, Dental, and WIC services. Most recently, the health center added Optometry services at our Lake Forest site. Additionally, when you entrust Camino Health Center with your care, you are gaining the experience of a team of professionals, not one single doctor. Each care team is comprised of a physician, mid-level provider, team-lead, dedicated medical assistant, care coordinator, behavioral health specialist, and dentist.
Camino Health Center is a federally funded health center. As such, it is held to the highest level of standards and regulations. When you entrust us with your care, you can rest assured you are in good hands. One example of where the health center goes beyond basic care is our care coordinators. More than just someone who pushes out referrals to specialty care providers, our care coordinators are here to assist you in navigating the complex health care environment as well as making sure your care team at Camino is informed regarding your specialty care treatment.
Because of its track record of providing high quality, affordable health care, Camino Health Center is fortunate to be supported, financially, by numerous community individuals as well as large corporations and local cities through their various grant programs. Each year, the health center receives over half a million dollars in private and local grant support to further the mission of the organization – to improve the health status of the underserved in south Orange County by providing affordable, quality, primary health care.
WHO WE HELP
Camino Health Center is making a difference in the lives of thousands of south Orange County residents who have nowhere else to turn for affordable or low cost quality health care.
HOW WE GOT HERE
Camino Health Center has provided needed healthcare services for over 35 years. Camino was established in 1982 thanks to a few visionary community members—Arthur Birtcher, Mario Cuevas, Sal Pepe, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, the late Reverend Monsignor Paul Martin and the first volunteer physician Dr. Peter Czuleger. These leaders built the foundation for a community clinic to care for those with no access to primary health care.
In the years since, Camino has taken care of the health needs of thousands of men, women and children. Camino is an affiliate of Mission Hospital and is proud to continue to support the growing population of south Orange County.
