La Clinica: Evolving to Serve Southern Oregon's Community Needs

Medford, Oregon – Since we last checked in with La Clinica in 2022, the southern Oregon healthcare provider has continued to grow and shape its services around the needs of the community.

Many of La Clinica’s clients come from vulnerable populations: those who are currently without a home or have limited mobility, as well as children who have little or no access to healthcare. Happy Smiles, La Clinica’s low-cost dental program, is available at more than twenty area schools. The mobile health center takes its services to urban campgrounds, churches and other community gathering spots, making it easy for those who can’t travel to get access to services.

La Clinica has recently developed a medical residency program for newly graduated nurse practitioners and physician assistants. The purpose is twofold: to expand care to underserved people in an area where there is a lack of primary care providers, and to encourage new medical graduates to specialize in this type of care.

A couple of years ago, La Clinica added a grief support and education nonprofit, WinterSpring, under its umbrella. The healthcare provider can now offer free grief counseling programs in the community, to both adults and children. WinterSpring does essential work in the school district when staff and students have experienced suicide loss.

La Clinical continues to develop education and workforce training in diabetes, yoga, personal growth, and leadership in the community. Most of the classes are free, and Julie Wurth, communications officer for La Clinica, said via email that this is the largest service provider of its kind that she knows of in Oregon. “Lots of people are building better lives because of it,” she wrote.

La Clinica has also developed a partnership with Southern Oregon University, relieving the university of a financial burden by operating the health center in the same manner as the rest of its clinics.

On any given day, La Clinica is hiring both medical providers and staff, offering a great opportunity to get involved in an organization that truly makes a difference. Over the last year, it has added twenty new providers and is still expanding services.

Visit laclinicahealth.org to research a service or see how you can get involved as a volunteer.

At Avista, we recognize our unique position gives us the chance to contribute in an impactful way and make a real difference in people’s lives. Since 2002, the Avista Foundation has made grants totaling over $13 million to organizations that support vulnerable and limited income populations, education, and economic and cultural vitality. The foundation is a separate, non-profit organization established by Avista Corp., and does not receive funding from Avista Utilities’ customers through rates. For more information on grant applications and geographical areas covered, please visit avistafoundation.com.