SANTA YANEZ, Calif. – The Santa Ynez Tribal Health Clinic is celebrating its 50th anniversary since opening in 1974.
Located on the Santa Ynez Reservation at 90 Via Juana Lane in Santa Ynez, the Santa Ynez Tribal Health Clinic (SYTHC) is celebrating its 50th anniversary since opening in 1974.
The clinic was founded by Chumash community member and obstetric nurse Rosa Pace with the goal of improving health care on the Santa Ynez Reservation. Today, the Chumash continue their healing traditions by providing medical care to their community and the general public in a state-of-the-art facility, serving more than 25,000 patients annually.
“We've come a long way since our early days and we take great pride in all the services we provide,” said Tribal Chairman Kenneth Kahn of the Santa Ynez Tribe of Chumash. “When my grandmother, Rosa Pace, had a vision, there was no stopping her.”
Pace was instrumental in establishing the first Urban Indian Health Clinic on Milpas Street in Santa Barbara and secured the grant money necessary to open a clinic on the Santa Ynez Reservation in 1974.
During her tenure, she added dental and social care services to the clinic, eventually retiring in 2000. She passed away in 2015 at the age of 86.
Gary Pace, a member of the tribe's business committee and Rosa Pace's son, reflected on his mother's incredible legacy.
“My mother, Rosa Pace, was always focused on providing a better and more sustainable future for her fellow tribal members and our community, and it's wonderful to see her efforts continue today,” he said. “She was an early member of our tribal government, supported efforts to bring running water to the Santa Ynez Reservation, and was influential in the tribe's gaming operations, but the tribal health clinic was always her passion. My family is proud of her beliefs and do our best to follow her example.”
Initially, the clinic saw patients once a week in a small two-bedroom trailer with running water and limited amenities. With tribal and community collaboration, and a grant from the Indian Health Service (IHS), the clinic was able to secure much-needed water and move into a newer, larger trailer. In 2002, the clinic's current facility was built on the upper reservation to expand its size and capacity.
“The Santa Ynez Tribal Health Clinic is a community-focused facility for tribal members and the broader community,” said Jaci Romero, chair of the SYTHC Health Committee. “We see patients from newborns to tribal elders and our doors are always open to anyone in need of medical care. Our services are expanding to meet the needs of our patients and provide excellent, quality care.”
SYTHC's mission is to provide the highest quality health care while respecting cultural values and incorporating best practices for all.
Led by a team of physicians, nurse practitioners, therapists, dentists and social workers, the clinic provides medical, dental, behavioral health, community and social services. Services are extensive and include family medicine, general dentistry, pediatrics, chiropractic, optometry, substance abuse programs, podiatry and behavioral health. Currently, the clinic has 19 providers and serves over 8,900 patients.
“I am most proud of the work we do to serve our entire community,” Kahn said, “and I'd like to extend my sincere gratitude to our physicians and administrative staff, past and present, who have worked so hard to support our patients every day for so many years.”
SYTHC is an independent subsidiary whose mission is to specialize in the highest standards of quality health care through modern medicine and cultural traditions. The clinic is funded through a variety of grants, including one from IHS, and has achieved mature contractor status with IHS and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. It is certified as an FQHC-like Medi-Cal/Medicare facility and is one of the few health facilities in Santa Barbara County accredited by the Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Healthcare (AAAHC).
For more information about SYTHC and its services, call 805-688-7070 or visit www.sythc.org
The Santa Ynez Chumash Indian Tribe is located in Santa Barbara County, California. The tribe's reservation was established and formally recognized by the federal government in 1901. Today, the Santa Ynez Chumash Indian Tribe is the only federally recognized Chumash tribe in the United States. The tribe is a self-governing, sovereign nation and follows the laws set forth in its tribal constitution.
Santa Ynez Tribal Health Clinic
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