MAKING A DIFFERENCE – Ana Ruiz-Peña and Karla Rugamas
By David Triana
Ana and Karla grew up in medically underserved communities and know first-hand how barriers to health care could impact health outcomes. They are both physician’s assistants with vast experience working with non-profit organizations and federally qualified health centers that serve impoverished and uninsured individuals.
These prior experiences are what led to them envisioning the creation of the Vida Mobile Clinic.
The purpose of the mobile clinic is to increase health care access and promote healthy living for all individuals regardless of their socioeconomic status and ability to pay.
Ana is the Chief Executive Officer and believes that “healthcare is a human right.” Karla is the Chief Operating Officer and the clinic has allowed her to pursue her dream of helping the community that she was raised in.
The Mobile Clinic provides FREE adult Primary Care services and also offers laboratory and diagnostic services at a discounted rate.
Through their Foot Hygiene Program, they serve unhoused individuals as well as provide care kits and wound care to them. They have also been able to purchase properly fitting shoes for patients thanks to generous sponsors.
During the year 2021, clinic volunteers contributed over 4,000 volunteer hours and provided over 170 primary care medical visits to uninsured patients. They also mentored 75 pre-health students and hosted their 3rd annual free pre-health student workshop with over 40 participants from three different schools. They created new programs to enhance their services such as hosting their first-ever patient advocacy information session and setting up an outreach team to go into the community.
The efforts lead by Ana and Karla are not going unnoticed! Vida obtained telehealth equipment for specialty care from a sister clinic and they also received over $95,000 in grant funding from the California Association of Free and Charitable Clinics and AT&T.
Last year, Ana and Karla were nominees for the Univision Network’s “UniVisionarios” award. UniVisionarios is an annual award that honors the most influential Hispanics in the United States and how their contributions advance our community and this country.
To learn more about Ana and Karla’s non-profit organization, go here: https://www.vidamobileclinic.org/