What’s old is new again for a longstanding free medical and dental clinic in San Francisco’s Excelsior neighborhood.
Clinic by the Bay on Wednesday celebrated the grand opening of its new facility in the former Alemany Emergency Hospital, the $5.7 million restoration of which allowed the 14-year-old volunteer-run medical center to expand its operations. The clinic was co-founded by Janet Reilly — the wife of Examiner editor and publisher Clint Reilly — and it primarily serves San Franciscans with chronic diseases who can’t afford private insurance and don’t qualify for government assistance.
Olga Ayula, Clinic by the Bay’s executive director, said the clinic’s presence in the area is important as one third of the community’s primary language is Spanish. Staff make it a point to know their patients in intimate ways, which can include treating them in their native language.
“They trust us and they come to us having the confidence that they’re going to receive the care that they need,” Ayula said.