OREANDA-NEWS. July 18, 2016. Kaiser Permanente has presented a \\$500,000 grant to Social Action Community Health System (SAC Health System). This substantial grant will help fund an Ophthalmology Suite at SACHS’ new clinic in downtown San Bernardino.

Scheduled to open in July 2016, the new 150,000 square foot downtown clinic will house six ophthalmology exam rooms for adult and pediatric patients, as well as a state-of-the-art “Photo/Oct” testing/procedure room for the training of future ophthalmologists. This new Ophthalmology Suite will allow SACHS to provide much needed ophthalmology services to the low-income, uninsured and underinsured.

“This amazing award from Kaiser Permanente will provide services to the underserved in the Inland Empire and far beyond that would have never had the ability to access this critically important care,” said Nancy Young, president and CEO, Social Action Community Health System. “Additionally, the training opportunities this fully equipped ophthalmology suite will provide to the practitioners of tomorrow will continue to bless our families for centuries. We are grateful beyond words. Kaiser Permanente is a long treasured partner, joining SACHS in serving our precious community.”

San Bernardino County has a large population of low-income, medically uninsured residents. A significant number of the uninsured residents suffer from cataracts or other retinal conditions that impair vision. There is a high demand for ophthalmology services; however, it is a very hard specialty to access. Kaiser Permanente’s support of the Ophthalmology offers SAC Health System the ability to purchase necessary equipment to provide this highly needed service.

“Improving the health of the communities we serve has always been a central part of Kaiser Permanente’s mission,” said Greg Christian, senior vice president and area manager for Kaiser Permanente San Bernardino County Area. “We are thrilled to be able to support SACHS as they open their new facility in San Bernardino and move forward to provide their clients with ophthalmology services.”

SAC Health System has traditionally been a primary care clinic. However the new downtown San Bernardino clinic will allow SAC to expand their services beyond primary care, and not only provide patients with access to a more comprehensive set of services, including Ophthalmology, but also allow staff the ability to provide more patient centered care.

“Difficulty receiving specialty care such as ophthalmological services has created a situation where the uninsured and underinsured can only access a doctor when a chronic condition has reached alarming levels,” said Timothy Jenkins, MD, area medical director & chief of staff, Kaiser Permanente San Bernardino County Area. “The resources we are investing into this new clinic will help improve the lives of people in San Bernardino County and support the critical services provided by our community partner SAC Health System.”

Kaiser Permanente’s San Bernardino County Service Area has provided comprehensive, affordable health care to the Inland Empire for more than 70 years and serves more than 550,000 members. The San Bernardino County Service Area includes the Kaiser Foundation Hospitals in Fontana and Ontario, and medical offices in Fontana, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Colton, Claremont, Montclair, Chino, San Bernardino, Victorville, Redlands and Upland.

About Kaiser Permanente Southern California
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, our mission is to provide high quality, affordable health care services to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve more than 4.2 million members in Southern California. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health.