ROTARY CLUB OF SAN JOSE

NEXT BIG PROJECT: MOBILE HEALTH CLINIC

Next Big Project Mission:

To conduct a community needs assessment and identify a large project that solves a critical need, has long-term impact, high visibility, provides inspiration and excitement, creates a sense of pride, and serves to motivate and attract new Club members. This effort will result in a project to be completed within 5 years.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The Rotary Club of San Jose’s Next Big Project Committee is in the late stages of proposing to launch a Mobile Health Clinic to serve low-income, unhoused, and/or vulnerable individuals and families who do not have access to healthcare services in the greater San Jose area.

Beyond providing episodic health care, the Clinic will seek to transition patients into the healthcare system and facilitate access to other, critically needed wrap-around services.

To maximize the Clinic’s reach and impact, the Rotary Club of San Jose will partner with RotaCare San Jose, Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County, and the Order of Malta, who will provide high-quality medical services, manage and maintain the vehicle, and facilitate enrollment in healthcare and other wrap-around services, such as housing, employment, meals, mental health, etc.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Rotary Club of San Jose will provide the start-up capital. This project is prefunded; members will not be asked to contribute. Our partners will be responsible for the ongoing operation and maintenance cost of the mobile clinic. Our Club will not be responsible for ongoing operations or administration. However, there could be opportunities for Club engagement, such as supporting volunteer efforts and special projects.

 Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County – Managing Partner

Under the leadership of Rotarian Greg Kepferle, CCSCC will be the managing partner and has proposed to “own” the mobile clinic, manage its operations, coordinate partner usage, and provide ongoing maintenance, storage, etc. Through a shared-use agreement, the mobile clinic is expected to be in operation up to 5 days per week to maximize usage and reach.

RotaCare – Healthcare Provider

The Mobile Health Clinic is expected to replace Washington Elementary as RotaCare’s primary delivery method for medical services. They are expected to continue serving the Washington neighborhood, as well as expand its reach to other areas.

Order of Malta – Healthcare Provider

Under the leadership of Rotarian and past president, Mike Blach, the Knights of Malta are actively initiating the delivery of healthcare services to the same population. Based on the highly successful model in Oakland, and with strong support from that group, it is expected that they will draw from their large membership and funding sources to identify doctors, nurses and other volunteers to support these efforts.

KEY OUTCOMES:

1. Increase access to healthcare for thousands of area residents who are not currently receiving quality services.
2. A new, long-term home for RotaCare San Jose.
3. Development of high-impact partnerships to address a community need.
4. Excellent brand awareness for the Club.

MOBILE CLINIC DESCRIPTION

While the final design of the clinic is to be finalized, it will:

1. Be a large, RV-style vehicle nearly 40 feet in length
2. Include two separate exam rooms and a waiting area
3. Have ample space for medical equipment and storage for supplies
4. Have a 15–20-year lifespan

STATUS AND TIMELINE

1. Final design of the Mobile Health Clinic is nearly complete.
2. Quotes for the mobile clinic build are in the $450,000 range, within our budget.
3. Production and delivery schedules range from 6 to 18 months.
4. MOUs between the partners are currently under legal review with a goal of completion by mid-February 2023.
5. We will seek final approval from the Club and Foundation Boards in early March 2023, date TBD.

Upon approval by the Club and Foundation Boards, we expect to bring it to the Club membership for final approval later in March.

For more information contact Committee Chair Vincent Sunzeri.