Sequoia Healthcare District to Fund Several New Projects

Press Release: May 14, 2015

Sequoia Healthcare District to Fund Several New Projects

The Sequoia Healthcare District Board of Directors agreed to fund several new and exciting health care programs at their meeting on May 13. The District will work with Samaritan House and 2nd Harvest to create the first local food pharmacy for people with diabetes in the San Mateo County region. Based on a successful Boston program, the new pharmacy will provide free healthy food for an identified 200 diabetic patients of Samaritan House. The District also agreed to fund clinic operations and a pilot study to support mental health counseling at the Redwood City based Samaritan House Clinic.

The Board will also fund an expansion of the San Mateo Medical Center’s Ron Robinson Senior Center to their South County Clinic. This program offers comprehensive team-based treatment of older adults with severe chronic health issues. In addition, the District agreed to fund a transition from hospital to home program for low-income residents being discharged from the San Mateo Medical Center. The program will offer case management and enrollment in social service programs as needed.

A grant was also awarded to Peninsula Family Services to develop a new program entitled Sequoia 70 that will provide health education, referral and direct services for older adults living within the District.

Lee Michelson, CEO of the Sequoia Healthcare District commented “We are always looking for ideas and opportunities to improve the health of our residents. These programs have great potential to make a significant positive impact on the lives of many of the District’s most vulnerable residents. ”.

Sequoia healthcare District serves more than 220,000 residents of central and southern San Mateo County.