History and Background

The Coastside Clinic was established in 1985 in Half Moon Bay, California by a group of private practice physicians. Acquired by Stanford Hospital and Clinics in 1995, it operated as a department of Stanford for the next six years. Early in 2001, Stanford made the decision to close its satellite clinics, potentially leaving the Coastside community with a gap in its healthcare services.

In response to the threat of losing a large portion of its primary care providers, the Coastside community, led by a group of concerned citizens, decided to form a new entity.  Thus, Coastside Family Medical Center (CFMC) was founded in 2001, with the transfer from Stanford occurring in October of that year. Mills-Peninsula Health Services was a vital partner in facilitating this transition, providing both financial and in-kind support.

Coastside Family Medical Center was formed as a nonprofit public benefit corporation and has tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.  Accordingly, no part of the net income or assets of the corporation will inure to individuals be they employees, directors, or officers.  CFMC is governed by a thirteen-member Board of Directors.

The coastal area of San Mateo County presents some unique challenges in the provision of healthcare. This area has a population of approximately 30,000 residents, diverse in income, ethnicity, occupation, and living situations. The area is strong in agricultural, horticultural, and commercial fishing industries along with the retail and tourist trade. Over 25% of households earn less than $50,000 per year and nearly 40% earn over $100,000 per year.  In the rural areas of the South Coast, more than 64% of the residents live below the national median family income of $47,800, 26% of whom earn less than $15,000 per year.

While only 20 miles from nationally recognized healthcare institutions, transportation limitations prompt coastal residents to want to receive their primary healthcare locally. There is limited public transportation, only 2 two-lane roads by which to access the area, and the constant threat of road closures during the rainy season.  In 2004, CFMC began to provide services in Pescadero after the County of San Mateo Public Health Services closed its doors.  CFMC-South is the only locally based healthcare clinic for migrant workers in the area and those without insurance. 

CFMC provides family practice and pediatric healthcare services to persons of all ages. These services include treatment of acute and chronic illnesses and non-life threatening injuries, comprehensive physicals, immunizations, medication management, and basic procedures, such as suturing and casting.  Delivery of care is provided by four Family Practice physicians, two Pediatricians, and one Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.

The Center’s physicians are members of Mills-Peninsula Medical Group, and the Center is affiliated with Mills-Peninsula Health Services, a Sutter Health affiliate. Laboratory and Radiology services are provided through an arrangement with Mills-Peninsula Health Services. Obstetric services are provided on-site through Peninsula Women’s Health based in Burlingame.