New Mobile Service Will Treat Low-Income, Uninsured Community in Northern California 

OAKLAND, CA, September 19, 2018 – The Order of Malta Clinic of Northern California today debuted its new mobile health clinic in Oakland – in conjunction with providing podiatry treatments for local homeless and uninsured communities. The new 36-foot rolling medical unit was provided by the Sovereign Order of Malta, Western Association, U.S.A. for medical outreach services to the neediest communities of Northern California.  On September 19^th, the medical van was stationed at St. Vincent de Paul of Alameda County, where members and volunteer staff met with patients, assisted with registration and served coffee and breakfast to those in need.

The mobile medical van will be stationed at St. Rose Parish Church in Santa Rosa this coming Saturday, September 22^nd as the members of the Order of Malta serve the members of that community, which was savaged by last fall’s wildfires.

“Today marks an important milestone for our organization and the local uninsured community,” said John Christian, KM, Board chair of the Order of Malta Clinic of Northern California. “The addition of this new mobile unit complements our permanent Oakland clinic and will strengthen our collaboration with partners like St. Vincent de Paul,” he said. “We are grateful for the support of the Western Association, U.S.A. in making this opportunity available to the Clinic.”  The Sovereign Order of Malta, Western Association, U.S.A. has organized teams of dozens of volunteers to enable the Clinic staff and interested volunteers to assist at local parishes and community organizations in sponsoring health fairs and patient visits.

“The launch of this mobile clinic is the capstone of our tenth anniversary celebration of the Clinic’s operation,” said Sara Cumbelich, Dame of Malta and Tenth Anniversary event chair.  The Order of Malta Clinic of Northern California’s annual gala will be held on October 2nd at the St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco.

About the Sovereign Order of Malta and its Clinic of Northern California

The Sovereign Order of Malta is one of the oldest institutions of Christian charity.  Founded in Jerusalem in the 11^th century as a religious group of doctors and nurses, today the Order of Malta is recognized by the Catholic Church as a religious group led by lay members and is recognized by more than 100 states as a sovereign entity under international law.  The Sovereign Order of Malta has permanent observer status at the United Nations and is neutral, impartial, and apolitical.  The members of the Order serve the needy without regard to race, religion, gender, or immigration status.  The Order provides medical and social assistance to refugees and people living in the midst of armed conflicts and natural disasters.  Learn more at www.orderofmalta.int.

Founded in 2008 as one of the medical service arms of the Sovereign Order of Malta, Western Association, U.S.A., the Order of Malta Clinic of Northern California is a nonprofit medical clinic located in Oakland, California.  The Clinic provides free on-site preventive health care services to uninsured and low-income patients.  The Clinic has a volunteer staff comprised of more than 50 volunteer physicians and nurses, and has handled more than 30,000 patient visits. Learn more at www.orderofmaltaclinic.com.