Overview and History
Mendocino Coast Clinics is a true example of a grass roots organization, with historical roots as a free clinic to being a community based health clinic operated by a patient driven not for profit Board of Directors for nearly 30 years. Medical care was the driving force as the clinic transitioned from the Mendocino County Health Department to the nonprofit Mendocino Coast Cli
nics. Initially focusing on primary and preventative care, services have grown to include wellness exams, diabetes education, podiatry and dermatology. Behavioral Health Care was added in 1995 and has grown from providing counseling to also to including Behavioral Medicine with psychiatric consultations, psychopharmacology, suboxone treatment for opiate addiction and pain management. In 2010 case management services were added for these patients as well as for homeless people. In 1997, the health problems related to the lack of accessible dental care motivated MCC to add dental care as another major component of the organization for adults and children. In 2005, MCC assumed the obstetrical and gynecology providers which also included perinatal services, childbirth classes and breastfeeding support. In 2010, MCC opened the Teen Clinic, now Blue Door@MCC, offering an array of health care, services and education to local youth. In 2011, the local pediatric practice affiliated with MCC bringing specialized care and service to the community’s infants, children and young adults. In 2013, the Liz Irwin Wing, funded by the Affordable Care Act, was opened. The Mendocino Coast Clinics’ service area runs along 50 miles of rural and geographically isolated portions of the northern California coast in Mendocino County. MCC mission is to build a healthy community by providing patient-centered health care to all coastal residents.
