›› About IBHC
Imperial Beach Health Center
Imperial Beach Health Center (IBHC) is a private, non-profit healthcare organization that operates one clinic at 949 Palm Avenue in Imperial Beach, California. For more than 37 years, Imperial Beach Health Center has provided primary healthcare to people of all ages in Imperial Beach and surrounding communities of southwest San Diego County.
Vision statement
"Imperial Beach Health Center will be a leading medical center in the South Bay, providing the most affordable and highest quality heath care for the whole family in a culturally sensitive manner and environment, with an emphasis on achieving exceptional ratings in patient satisfaction and with a focus on the underserved and vulnerable populations in the community, in order to improve the overall health status of the residents of the Imperial Beach and South San Diego."
-IBHC Board of Directors, November 29, 2006
Imperial Beach Health Center is a Federally Qualified Community Health Center.
Health centers are community-based and patient-driven organizations that serve populations with limited access to health care. These include low-income populations, the uninsured, those with limited English proficiency, migrant and seasonal farm workers, individuals and families experiencing homelessness, and those living in public housing.
Health Center Program Fundamentals
-Bureau of Primary Health Care, Health Resources and Services Administration
1971: Imperial Beach Free People’s Clinic
organized
1972: Obtains 501 c (3) tax exempt status
as a Community Clinic
1975: Obtains license from the State
of California to operate as a licensed, non-profit Community Clinic, emphasis
on family planning and pediatric well-child services, first grant received
1980s: Expands and professionalizes clinic
services; medical director and professional staff hired, formal relationships
developed with hospitals
1990’s: Expands to site at 600 Palm Avenue,
employs medical-board certified internal medicine, family practice and pediatric
physicians and mid level practitioners
2002: Moves to newly constructed clinic
building at 949 Palm Avenue
2006: Earns Federally Qualified Health
Center status, expands administrative infrastructure and provider and patient
bases
2008-2009: IBHC is once again operating
near capacity, and will soon open a second clinic site.