The NAEBOR Clinic staff, alongside mayoral dignitaries from Fontana and Rialto, celebrated their grand opening with a ribbon cutting celebration held October 24, 2022 at their new office in Rialto.
Let us introduce you to the NAEBOR Clinic, a full service, prenatal care clinic designed to improve pregnancy outcomes and perceived patient experiences for Black, African American and incarcerated women in San Bernardino County.
The medical staff at the NAEBOR Medical Group, which stands for Neighborly, Adaptable, Equitable care for Black Obstetric Patients with Respect, understands the importance of representation and believes their clients will benefit from receiving prenatal care from providers of the same race who may better relate to their life experiences.
“Black women in the Inland Empire now have the NAEBOR clinic, a first of its kind, safe space where our mission is to ensure that their lived experiences matter to us,” said Kendra Flores-Carter, DSW, NAEBOR Clinic Co-Director. “Our patients know from the moment they walk into our doors that their bodies, babies, families and voices are not only heard but valued by everyone on our team,” explained Dr. Flores-Carter.
Led by women medical professionals with decades of experience, the NAEBOR care team is acutely aware of the cultural issues for maternal health in San Bernardino. The care provided has a central premise: pregnancy outcomes can be positively impacted by improving, growing and diversifying the perinatal workforce.
The idea for the NAEBOR Clinic stemmed from the lifelong work of Guillermo Valenzuela, MD, a private practice OB/GYN and maternal-fetal medicine physician who also serves as the chair of the Women’s Health Department at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. Additionally, the team includes clinical social workers and physician assistants who support the clinic’s holistic patient care model.
According to Destiny Penn, medical assistant and newly trained community health worker, NAEBOR Clinic patients often have a variety of social needs that, while not directly related to their pregnancies, have the potential to negatively impact prenatal health outcomes. “Through a robust intake process, our team enhances patient care with referrals to additional social support services, including but not limited to transportation, housing and food resources,” Penn explained.
While still in the startup phase, 26 patients have received care in addition to six healthy births so far. In a focus group held in May, NAEBOR patients reported overwhelmingly positive experiences with the clinic and its providers. Said one participant, “It’s so different from where I used to go. Every time I used to cry. At NAEBOR, it was a very positive experience for me.” Said another participant, “Every time I came in, they treated me well. I always felt welcome.”
First 5 San Bernardino is a proud funder of the NAEBOR Clinic, open Mondays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and located in the Mommy and Me building at 416 W. Foothill Blvd. in Rialto. To make an appointment, call 909.421.0493 or visit their website and complete a contact form.