CSUSM School of Nursing to Celebrate Opening of Free Clinic in Oceanside, Dec. 16

The California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) School of Nursing (SoN) will celebrate the opening of its new nursing clinic in Oceanside on Monday, Dec. 16 at 10 a.m. with a ceremonial blessing and ribbon cutting. St. Anne’s Episcopal Church has generously donated use of a 1,600-square-foot house, located at 1002 South Coast Highway, to CSUSM’s Student Healthcare Project, which also operates two other free clinics in San Diego’s Ocean Beach community.

Founded in 2011, the Student Healthcare Project provides CSUSM nursing undergraduate and graduate students meaningful, hands-on experiences in the community that train them in delivering primary care services while simultaneously improving access to excellent care in underserved communities. The student-run clinics provide hygienic care products and over-the-counter medications to clients. Under the supervision of nursing faculty and a medical director, students also help provide basic wound care, healthcare screenings, social service referrals and discount prescriptions for generic drugs.

Among those overseeing the students is Mary Baker, director of CSUSM Healthcare Projects, a clinical nurse specialist in Advanced Public Health and the project’s medical director, Dr. William “Gerry” Hardison. Other faculty include Jason Saude, MSN and Linnea Axman, NP.

“I think of these clinics as having two clear purposes that overlap with each other,” said SoN Director Denise Boren. “The first purpose is to be of service to the community. Our clients are indigent and have a lot of barriers that prevent them from receiving medical care. At our clinics, they see a friendly face and get connected to that care that many so desperately need. The second purpose is to provide our students with diverse, hands on experiences that prepare them to be better, more compassionate and competent nurses.”

The ribbon cutting ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. with remarks starting at 10:30.  CSUSM College of Education, Health and Human Services Dean Janet Powell; CSUSM School of Nursing Director Denise Boren; and Bishop James R. Mathes of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego will provide remarks.

If you go:

When: Monday, Dec. 16 at 10 a.m., remarks at 10:30 a.m.

Where: Saint Anne’s Episcopal Church - 1002 South Coast Highway Oceanside, CA 92054

Contact: Margaret Lutz Chantung, CSUSM public information officer– (760) 750-4011 or Bob Buckman, St. Anne’s Episcopal Church – (310) 922-8663