Patient-centered approach focus at Family Health Center

Rick Monroe

Special to the Village News

A smile peeks behind the blue mask of Dr. Wendy Vu, a pediatrician at Fallbrook Family Health Center, as she walks into the waiting room with colorful charts and posters displayed on each wall. Typically you cannot see the smile because the mask covers it.

"Hola, ¿cómo estás?" she asks, as she greets her young patient and his mother at FFHC; Vu joined FFHC a little over a year and a half ago.

Vu always welcomes her patients with a bright smile and is learning to communicate in Spanish – a language that is primarily used within the community FFHC serves. She is dedicated to understanding her patients, even if it requires learning a new language.

FFHC is next to Northgate Supermarket on South Mission Road. The clinic serves as a one-stop-shop where a patient can receive care from behavioral health, family medicine, dental care, and vision care to prenatal services – all under one roof.

FFHC is one of six establishments with Community Health Systems Inc., which has been in operation for more than 35 years. As a nonprofit 501(C)(3) federally qualified health center, they aim to provide accessible health care to all individuals, including those with financial hardships or lack of comprehensive health insurance.

Health centers have changed traditional practices of primary care systems by adopting a patient-centered approach which focuses on the patient's total health and well-being.

"For me, medicine shouldn't be such a focus on the doctor or the medications or the surgery. Health is a more broad, holistic thing that often involves the people themselves, their families, and their communities overall," said Dr. Kanwardeep Kaleka, a dual-specialized psychiatrist and family medicine physician at the center, with more than 10 years of experience.

By providing supplies such as free food, resources, health screenings, and by also reaching patients through telehealth, FFHC clinic staff and local partners have reduced the amount of health disparities in the local community.

Celebrations, like National Health Center Week, highlight the importance of health centers in communities like Fallbrook; each year in August, FFHC raises awareness and invites locals to their free events that provide free resources such as health screenings and giveaways.

"Community outreach plays a big factor in helping these families," Vu said. "We help in many aspects for families that are in need."

Outreach events also serve as an opportunity for the community to learn about the services offered at FFHC. Through trending hashtags and Facebook events, the health center interacts with local communities.

For example, during this year's annual summer back to school event, hosted in July, FFHC was able to distribute 450 backpacks filled with back-to-school supplies such as pencils, notebooks, rulers, scissors and crayons. "It's a way to offset the financial burden some families incur at the start of each school year, and simultaneously offer families the ability to focus on their health and overall wellbeing," said Denis Vega Tapia, chief operating officer for Community Health Systems, Inc.

Vu has worked with families to overcome some of these challenges using a team approach with in-house co-located services, such as behavioral health or dental services. The goal is to provide comprehensive care.

"This past year with the pandemic has been challenging. There have been a lot of mental health challenges," Vu said.

Some patients have successfully graduated from therapy as part of their road to better mental health.

"I became a pediatrician because I find children very inspiring, they give us hope," Vu said. "It is an honor to be a part of that journey."

To learn more about the Fallbrook Family Health Center, located at 1328 S. Mission Road, visit http://www.chsica.org/fallbrook or call 760-451-4720.

Michelle Caldera contributed to this story.