UC Merced Magazine | Commemorative Chronicle

AltaMed was founded in 1969 as the East Los Angeles Barrio Free Clinic, later renamed AltaMed Health Services in 1986. Today, it operates as the largest federally quali ed health center in the nation, o ering a broad range of services — including medical, dental, pediatric and senior care — to patients regardless of their ability to pay. Its mission is to eliminate disparities in healthcare access and outcomes, particularly for Latino, multiethnic and underserved communities across Southern California. AltaMed and UC Merced’s partnership is grounded in their shared commitment to advance healthcare quality and access to underserved communities throughout California. e organizations serve similar populations – 69 percent of AltaMed’s patients are Latino and 84 percent are minorities, while 54 percent of UC Merced students identify as Hispanic and nearly 91 percent identify as being part of a minority.

e partner institutions also continually explore opportunities for collaboration. In 2024, AltaMed President and CEO Cástulo de la Rocha served as a speaker for UC Merced’s School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts commencement ceremony. “I am very proud of our partnerships with esteemed institutions across California,” said de la Rocha. “UC Merced’s passion for creating change and improving access, both in higher education and in the healthcare sector, aligns with the AltaMed vision and core values. I am excited that our AltaMed Scholars Summer Program is helping prepare students from UC Merced and other universities become the next generation of healthcare leaders.”

UC Merced’s passion for creating change and improving access, both in higher education and in the healthcare sector, aligns with AltaMed’s vision and core values. Cástulo de la Rocha PRESIDENT & CEO ALTAMED HEALTH SERVICES