The hardest part of helping someone in crisis is waiting for them to be ready — ready to ask and receive help and ready for things to change.
Last year, I began navigating the complex world of outpatient treatment programs for a family member who, after many years of struggling, was ready for change. Finding a high-quality program that provides nonjudgmental support wasn’t easy.
Having worked professionally with the Harbor Community Health Centers (Harbor CHC) team for several years, I turned to them for advice and guidance. Their care and compassion were extraordinary. I’m so grateful that we have such a high-caliber health clinic right in our neighborhood.
So, let’s dive in with Tamra King, the CEO of Harbor CHC, to learn more about her role and how they are keeping San Pedro healthy.
What brought you to this work?
KING: I spent the latter part of my career working in the healthcare universe, and then in 2012, looking to do something different, something more direct, I found my way to Harbor CHC.
I was raised in a home where we all volunteered our time in some way. My parents modeled this for me. It’s how I’m wired. I’m not happy unless I’m doing something bigger than myself.
Why focus on healthcare?
KING: Healthcare is highly mission-driven. And the results are tangible. We get nearly 40,000 visitors a year. San Pedro is healthier because of Harbor CHC.
Most don’t realize that anybody can visit a FQHC — a Federally Qualified Health Center. And FQHCs are some of the most compassionate — and high-quality — in the healthcare industry. We are held to a high standard and offer all the preventative care an individual needs throughout the year — a physical, a mammogram, a colonoscopy.
I wish more people would seek preventative health care rather than wait until a health emergency, especially since we’re right here.
What are you most proud of?
KING: So much. Today, the Harbor CHC is not the same organization it was ten years ago. We have had incredible growth in the last decade, and our services mirror the increased healthcare needs of the community. When I started, our annual budget was $1.9 million; now, that’s what we budget in a month.
Our team! We went from 23 to a team of 100 staff members. We have been able to attract and retain the best in the industry.
Our chief medical officer, Dr. Lusk, is double board-certified and left Yale New Haven Hospital to join us here in San Pedro. Our chief financial officer, Yessenia Henriquez, has over 20 years [of] experience leading government and nonprofit organizations and has really built our internal capacity to ensure our sustainability and growth.
Pacific Avenue clinic — we’d never done a capital campaign before, and it’s been a significant success in what we can offer our patients. We built six beautiful dental laboratories, offer behavioral health services, and have providers speaking English and Spanish. It’s simply incredible!
What do you want people to know about your work and how they can be part of the solution?
KING: The needs vary and rotate — every CEO is looking for more money, space, and patients. For instance, there’s so much we could accomplish with a mobile van. We serve the whole community. The challenge with serving some, for example, the unhoused, is that they need care at their bedside and may not be able to come into the clinic. We are very conscientious of our budget, and a mobile van would help ease that challenge.
We want to be strategic and intentional about how we expand — make sure we build facilities that meet the growing and changing needs of San Pedro and other areas we serve.
While Harbor CHC is known to provide health care services to low-income and unhoused neighbors, really anyone can receive services.
What role does the clinic play in San Pedro?
KING: Some of our staff grew up coming to the clinic, and 82 percent of them live within the community. The larger health clinic chains can’t serve the community with the same level of connection and compassion as we do. spt
Harbor CHC offers comprehensive healthcare options — including access to psychotherapy and other mental health options. For more information, visit harborchc.org.
