Unlock Free Health Care: SLO Noor Foundation’s Lifeline for the Uninsured!
When Dr. Ahmad Nooristani made the brave leap from Afghanistan to the beautiful Central Coast, he was taken aback by something alarming: the glaring gap in healthcare for those without insurance. Fueled by a passion for change, he took matters into his own hands by establishing the SLO Noor Foundation, a beacon of hope providing free healthcare to the uninsured.
According to Barbara Alarcon, the Practice Manager at SLO Noor Foundation, this remarkable organization has been serving the community for over a decade. With dedicated primary care doctors, they welcome patients from San Miguel all the way down to Santa Maria.
Exciting developments are on the horizon! Alarcon highlighted a grant awarded in 2022 that empowered the foundation to roll out mobile clinics, effectively widening their reach across the county.
“We invested in a mobile RV, allowing us to set up shop at various locations,” she explained. “We’ve collaborated with People’s Self-Help Housing and local public libraries, transforming these spaces into temporary clinics for a day or even half a day. We’re eager to serve wherever there’s a need!”
Mark your calendars! For North County residents in need of care, the mobile health unit is scheduled to be at the Shandon Library on December 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Plus, catch us at the Arroyo Grande Public Library on December 24 from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
Not only that, the foundation provides uninsured individuals access to medical, vision, and dental care with minimal wait time at their home base located at 1428 Phillip’s Lane, Suite 203, in SLO. Open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., you can call (805) 439-1797 to secure your spot.
The foundation connects community members to essential services including laboratory testing, mammograms, radiology, physical therapy, health education, dental exams, oral surgery, eye exams, glaucoma care, and cataract exams, to name just a few.
For the women of Santa Maria, Alarcon emphasized the invaluable Mobile Women’s Health Unit, which offers free Pap smears. While the foundation currently doesn’t have the funding for full-time services, it does refer residents to centers that provide complimentary Pap smears and STD testing.
With over 20 years of experience in healthcare, Alarcon passionately expressed her commitment to the SLO Noor Foundation, stating, “We empower people at their lowest moments.”
The organization boasts one paid nurse practitioner, but the heart of its success lies in its volunteers—students, retired healthcare professionals, and compassionate individuals all rally to make this mission possible.
“We have students training for clinical hours alongside retired doctors who generously offer their time to care for our patients,” she shared.
Every single dollar the foundation receives goes straight back into patient care, ensuring that SLO Noor is a welcoming space for everyone who walks through their doors.
“I’ve worked in ten different offices in the area, but there’s nothing as fulfilling as helping someone who walks in without health insurance, scared and uncertain, and being able to provide them with all the resources they need,” Alarcon reflected.
This profound sense of purpose resonates throughout the SLO Noor Foundation, as everyone involved understands the transformative power of accessible healthcare.
While the foundation focuses on uninsured individuals, it recognizes the challenges of healthcare access for everyone. To further support the community, they also assist those caught between doctor visits with essential prescription refills.
Alarcon is keen to emphasize that the clinic is a safe haven where no identification is required if someone feels uncomfortable providing it.
“As we move into a new year, the security that many have felt might be shifting. We want to assure our community that we’re here, our doors will remain open, and we will protect their privacy and health information at all costs,” she affirmed.
• Get into the festive spirit with an enchanting igloo dining experience at the Vespera Resort in Pismo Beach. These charming igloos are adorned with holiday décor and offer cozy, private lounge seating with stunning ocean views. Don’t miss out—these magical igloos are available only until January 2, 2025! For more details, visit marriott.com/offers/holiday-igloo-dining-off-140410/sbpak-vespera-resort-on-pismo-beach-autograph-collection.
For more information, reach out to our staff writer.
