Venice Family Clinic, a pillar of community health in Los Angeles, has officially merged with South Bay Family Health Care. This significant union, effective November 1st, expands the reach and services of both organizations, creating a stronger network of care across 17 clinical sites and two mobile units. Venice Family Clinic has a long-standing partnership with UCLA Health and its physicians since its founding in the 1970s, and this merger further strengthens its commitment to providing comprehensive healthcare.
“This merger marks an exciting chapter for us,” states Elizabeth Benson Forer, MSW, MPH, CEO and executive director of Venice Family Clinic. “By combining our expertise, particularly in areas like our Street Medicine Program and mobile health services for individuals experiencing homelessness, we can amplify our impact.”
The renowned Street Medicine Program at Venice Family Clinic delivers crucial primary care, mental health services, and substance use treatment directly to individuals experiencing homelessness. This interdisciplinary approach, involving medical professionals and social workers, extends beyond immediate health needs to connect patients with vital resources such as housing and food.
“A key goal is to extend the Street Medicine Program into the South Bay region,” Forer explains. “We aim to collaborate with existing clinics in the South Bay already serving the homeless population. The need is immense, with countless individuals living on the streets without access to essential healthcare. We are eager to establish primary care access points for these individuals throughout the South Bay.”
Venice Family Clinic’s commitment to community outreach is already evident in their ongoing work at St. Margaret’s Center in Inglewood, where their teams have been providing care for the past nine months. This experience has provided valuable insights into the community’s specific needs, and staff are actively engaging in further training to enhance their service delivery.
The expanded Venice Family Clinic will also incorporate comprehensive programs such as Centering Pregnancy, a group prenatal care model that fosters connection and support among expectant parents and healthcare providers. Furthermore, the highly regarded Children First Early Head Start Program, dedicated to children from birth to age 3, will be integrated and expanded. This program empowers parents with knowledge about child development, strengthens family bonds, facilitates access to affordable healthcare, and connects families to essential community resources.
Currently, the Early Head Start program serves over 376 families at two locations. Plans are underway to establish a new Early Head Start center in Inglewood, with potential for further expansion to meet growing community needs.
Beyond these key programs, the merger will enhance access to vital mental health and substance use services across the expanded network.
A significant portion of Venice Family Clinic’s patient base (64%) lives below the federal poverty line. At South Bay Family Health Care, this figure is even higher, with approximately 74% of patients living below the poverty line and lacking health insurance. The merger directly addresses these disparities by streamlining health insurance enrollment processes, strengthening case management services, and expanding telehealth options to overcome barriers to care.
The enduring partnership between Venice Family Clinic and UCLA Health remains a cornerstone of the merged organization. Through an affiliation agreement, UCLA Health provides crucial administrative and clinical support. Volunteers from UCLA, including approximately 150 residents and faculty in primary care, contribute over 4,700 hours annually. Venice Family Clinic also serves as a vital training site for 44 UCLA programs spanning medicine, mental health, social work, and public health, among others. Over 200 medical and undergraduate students further contribute their time and skills as volunteers.
“By uniting our organizations, we are reinforcing our shared commitment to delivering high-quality healthcare to everyone, regardless of their financial situation, insurance coverage, or immigration status,” emphasizes Jann Hamilton Lee, MHA, former president and CEO of South Bay Family Health Care, now serving as senior executive. “The most compelling aspect of this merger is our amplified capacity to serve our patients more effectively together than we could have individually. This is the essence of why this merger is so transformative.”
Moving forward, the merged entity will operate under the established name of Venice Family Clinic. Elizabeth Benson Forer will continue to lead the organization as CEO, with Jann Hamilton Lee serving in a senior executive role, ensuring a seamless transition and leveraging the strengths of both legacy organizations.
