About Us
Who We Are: A Legacy of Compassionate, Community-Centered Care
At St. John’s Community Health, we believe healthcare is a human right — not a privilege. Since 1964, we’ve provided quality, accessible care to the most underserved communities of Los Angeles, and we have recently expanded into Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties. What began as a small storefront clinic has grown into a nationally recognized network of community health centers committed to equity, compassion, and impact.
What Sets Us Apart
We don’t just treat illness — we invest in people. St. John’s combines high-quality medical care with social support services that address the root causes of poor health. Our approach includes:
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Culturally Competent, Bilingual Care Teams
Our staff reflects the communities we serve, offering respectful, language-accessible care that builds trust and connection.
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Integrated Behavioral Health and Wellness Programs
We treat the mind as well as the body, with in-house therapy, substance use support, and wellness services woven into primary care.
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Support for Housing, Food Access, and Legal Needs
We connect patients with essential resources — including housing assistance, food programs, and legal advocacy — to improve overall health outcomes.
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Outreach and Advocacy to Reduce Systemic Barriers
Our street-based outreach teams meet people where they are and advocate for policies that advance health equity.
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Community-First Model with Deep Local Partnerships
We collaborate with schools, churches, grassroots organizations, and civic leaders to expand our impact and stay rooted in community needs.
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Care for All — Regardless of Insurance or Immigration Status
Everyone is welcome at St. John’s. We never turn patients away due to inability to pay or documentation status.
Our Mission
Our mission is to improve community health and reduce health disparities by delivering high quality, comprehensive services and impacting health and social policy.
Our Core Values
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Dignity
We honor and respect every person we encounter—whether patient, colleague, or community member—as a valued part of the human family.
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Excellence
We support and champion the best standard of care, personal and professional growth, accountability, creativity, teamwork, and a steadfast commitment to quality.
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Well-Being
We promote and advocate for the full integration of our patients’ physical and mental health in order to enable them to participate in their own health improvement and become active and responsible members of a vibrant and just community.
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Social Justice
We collaborate with others to develop systems, organizations and programs to advance equity and fairness in allocating community resources, and to empower and address the needs of all community members, especially the most vulnerable and disadvantaged members.
Our History
Founded in 1964, St. John’s has grown exponentially from its early beginnings as a small pediatric clinic located in the back building of St. John’s Episcopal Church in South Central L.A. with only two volunteer medical providers to one of the largest safety-net providers in Los Angeles.
Our Vision for the Future
St. John’s Community Health will be a catalyst for health equity and a leader in establishing systems of care, prevention strategies and public policies that promote social justice and community health improvement.
Support Health. Uplift Community.
Your donation helps us provide compassionate, high-quality care to thousands of individuals and families who might otherwise go without. Every gift — no matter the size — directly supports vital services like medical care, mental health support, housing assistance, and outreach programs. Together, we can build healthier, more equitable Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.
Teodora, who has been a diabetes patient visiting St. John’s health clinics for 18 years, credits a St. John’s program with saving her life. She receives her medicine, nutrition counseling, and medical care through the program. The Diabetes Nutrition program has taught her both how to eat healthier and make healthier lifestyle choices. Three generations of her family receive medical care at St. John’s.
St John’s Community Health is a contracted medical clinic partner with Health Care LA, IPA (HCLA). Through our partnership, we are able to care for patients enrolled with government sponsored managed care programs in Medi-Cal, Medicare Advantage and Medi-Medi. HCLA is the largest IPA network in Los Angeles County that contracts with FQHCs and community health centers. Click here to learn more about HCLA. (We provide services to anyone in need of care, regardless of insurance status.)
St. John’s Community Health is a FTCA deemed facility