As severe weather hammered Marin County and most of California at the start of the year, another (quieter) storm crept under the radar: the “tripledemic” of COVID-19, flu, and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus).
Comparatively, it was the relentless storms and power outages that dominated media coverage over the winter surge in illnesses, in-part for good reason. With the help of vaccines and boosters, we’ve been able to blunt the most critical effects of COVID-19 – though there is still work to be done.
Protection is waning for those that haven’t received the latest booster, and particularly at-risk are the many older adults in Marin. It’s important to keep in mind that COVID-19 hasn’t gone away. Staying up to date with boosters is crucial.
The federal government is now relying on Marin Community Clinics (and community health centers across the nation) to continue the fight. “We’re working with our community partners to get the word out about vaccines, by far our most precious resource in reducing the impact of COVID-19,” explains Chief Medical Officer Melanie Thompson, DO. The federal government recently invested $400,000 in the Clinics to ramp-up vaccines, boosters, and COVID-19-related education and outreach.
The Clinics are rising to the occasion. Free vaccines and boosters are currently available for anyone 6-months and older at our twice-weekly Health Hubs. Additional dedicated vaccine-focused shifts have been added within the clinics. Marin Community Clinics will continue to promote these vaccines as long as the need exists.
Learn more at marinclinic.org/covid-resources
NEW & IMPROVED PATIENT PORTAL IS LIVE
When Marin Community Clinics upgraded its Electronic Health Record System to Epic, the goal was to enhance the patient experience and boost interconnectivity between patients and caregivers, as well as Marin Community Clinics and external care providers such as hospitals.
MyChart by Epic, our new patient web portal and app service is available now, enabling patients to securely access and manage their personalized health care information from anywhere!
Marin Community Clinics is excited to offer this game-changing service to patients.
NEWS FROM THE CLINICS
I am pleased to report 2023 is off to a fantastic start. I want to keep you – our most valued health care advocates – informed of a few of our exciting projects and initiatives:
-We’ve broken ground on renovations at the 4th Street Dental Complex in San Rafael. The added space will accommodate additional dental chairs and state-of-the-art equipment, allowing us to significantly boost oral health care services.
-Our Leadership Team, together with our Board, are working to finalize the Clinics’ new strategic plan. The plan reinforces our commitment to our patients, community, and partner
With your support, we will continue to proactively meet the health care needs of our patients and community. I hope to see you at one of our upcoming events this year!
Leigha Andrews, MBA
Interim CEO
UPDATE FROM THE BOARD CHAIR 
I hope everyone had an enjoyable holiday season and a great start to the New Year. For many, the New Year is a time to assess our circumstances, set goals, and initiate changes. This is also true for Marin Community Clinics.
As you may know, the Board appointed Leigha Andrews, MBA as Interim CEO effective January 1st. Leigha has gracefully stepped into the role and embraced this enormous responsibility. The Board has full confidence in Leigha Andrews, the leadership team, and the employees who take care of patients every day.
The Board has an obligation to the community to find the best possible permanent CEO, and we are conducting a thorough search. We have retained WittKieffer, a nationally known executive search firm, to lead the process. It is a nationwide search, and the firm will consider internal candidates that express interest.
Marin Community Clinics remains strong and continues to provide top quality care to our patients, as we have for over 50 years. On behalf of the Board, thank you donors and supporters! You make our community a healthier place.
Daniel A. Segedin, Board Chair
