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By: Courtney Wood
By: Courtney WoodThe latest Talk to Downtown episode featured guests Gregory Diederich, CEO of Community Medical Centers, and Jennie Rodriguez, Director of Development at Community Medical Centers. The interview was hosted by Downtown Stockton Alliance’s Courtney Wood. Read on to hear a few highlights from the interview. To watch the full podcast, click here.
What is the Mission of Community Medical Centers?
During the interview, Diederich shared that the mission of Community Medical Centers is “to ensure that people can access care regardless of income, insurance status, language or other individual circumstances.” He explained that most of those who receive care through Community Medical Centers have Medi-Cal or Medicare. CMC has medical care, dental care, behavioral health care, substance use services, and more. CMC strives to see the individual as a whole when creating treatment or care plans.
Background of the Guests
Prior to his time as the CEO of CMC, Gregory Diederich spent 10 years as Director of the San Joaquin Healthcare Services Agency, and 7 ½ years as Associate Director within the Stanislaus County Public Health System. He shared that he has 30 years of experience in the healthcare sector.
Jennie Rodriguez has been with CMC since 2019. She initially joined as a grants manager before coming into her current position as Director of Development. At one time, Rodriguez was a patient of CMC, so she is familiar with the client experience. Prior to CMC, Rodriguez worked in collaborative courts as a part of the SJ Superior Court System. She also spent time at The Record as a reporter.
What makes CMC So Important for Our Community?
Diederich shared “I think we play a stabilizing role in communities. We provide an access point for people who might otherwise fall through the cracks of a complex healthcare system, foregoing preventative care until they’re in crisis and need emergency intervention, or their disease status [has] progressed [to a point] where it’s more costly.”
What is Something You Think People Would be Surprised to Know About CMC?
“We’re not just health care,” Diederich insisted. He recounted a story about a young girl who came to CMC for a routine sports physical; during her exam, the pediatrician discovered an irregular heartbeat, which ultimately led to a diagnosis of Marfan Syndrome. If this had not been discovered and had gone untreated, the disease could have become life-threatening. He asserts that one of the key aspects of CMC is the fact that they can help people who may not otherwise have access to services receive treatment for conditions before they become critical issues. CMC can help with prevention and early detection, which means healthier and longer lives. During the interview, Diederich also shared a success story about a teen who had gone to CMC for counseling.
Rodriguez noted that people may not know that CMC was one of the organizations which “jumped into action” during the pandemic. She stated that “our staff really became… heroes to the community, to… get out there in the front lines.” She stressed that “we had a team of individuals through our Care Link Program that showed up literally every single day, Monday through Sunday… to local shelters to help screen individuals… to contain the situation.”
What Services Are Offered in Downtown Stockton?
As a community-focused organization, Diederich stressed the importance of CMC being located within the community they serve. Here are several of CMC’s locations, most of which are right here in Downtown Stockton:
- 747 Channel – Primary Care, Pediatrics, Women’s Health
- 201 N. Stanislaus – Respite Center, Substance Use Withdrawal Services
- 701 E. Channel – Family Medicine, Pharmacy, X-ray, Substance Use, Mental Health
- 545 W. Sonora – St. Mary’s
What’s a New Project Coming from Community Medical Centers?
There is a new Adolescent Health Center under construction; it is “designed specifically for teens and youth, ages 18 to 25.” This office, located at 701 E. Weber, Stockton, CA, will include medical care, behavioral services, prevention programs, and supportive services for that age group; it is slotted for completion by November of 2026.
Anything Else That the Guests Would Like People to Know?
Diederich said, “hopefully they understand that community health is fundamentally about dignity. There’s dignity in every human life and we honor and uplift that. At the end of the day, health care is not simply about treating illness, it’s about helping people live healthier, more stable, and… hopeful lives.”
Rodriguez noted, “We’re here to be a part of the community’s… solution to provide and ensure that people have the health care that they need.”
How Can You Access Services?
- For medical services: 209.636.5400
- For dental services: 209.636.5555
- Website: cmcenters.org
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By Andy Nguyen
