Business Details
36 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Trusted San Diego Healthcare Provider
La Maestra has served San Diego's underserved communities since 1990, evolving from a single clinic into a PCMH Level III-accredited Federally Qualified Health Center with ten locations. Our organization provides comprehensive healthcare and social services to over 45,000 patients annually, prioritizing accessibility regardless of immigration status, insurance coverage, or ability to pay. With a culturally diverse staff reflecting the communities we serve, we offer family practice, pediatrics, dental care, mental health services, and specialty programs addressing chronic conditions.Our evidence-based care model integrates medical treatment with social determinants of health through initiatives like food assistance, legal advocacy, and wellness education. Recognized nationally for innovation, we maintain FTCA Deeming status and operate under rigorous quality standards while expanding telemedicine and mobile clinic services to enhance accessibility.
Services
Family Practice
Pediatrics
Dental Care
Mental Health
Pharmacy Services
OB/GYN
Laboratory
Imaging
Chiropractic
Optometry
Details
- Year established: 1990
Highlights and features
- 30+ years serving San Diego's underserved communities
- Culturally competent care in 12+ languages
- Sliding fee scale based on income and family size
- Integrated medical, dental, and behavioral health services
- 24/7 emergency medical assistance line
Associations and certifications
- Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC)
- PCMH Level III
- Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) Deemed facility
What people say
Caring staff
Language access
Affordable care
Comprehensive services
Culturally sensitive
Services
Family Practice
Our family practice department provides comprehensive healthcare for all ages, focusing on preventive care, chronic disease management, and acute care treatment. Services include routine check-ups, immunizations, and care coordination for patients with complex health needs. The program emphasizes culturally competent care through multilingual providers and community health workers.
Pediatrics
Pediatric services focus on comprehensive care for children from infancy through adolescence, including well-child visits, developmental screenings, and immunizations. Our team addresses common childhood illnesses while coordinating with school-based clinics to improve access for students. Services emphasize family-centered care and health education for parents.
Dental Care
Dental services include preventive and restorative care through ten clinic locations and a mobile dental unit. Patients receive routine cleanings, fillings, and oral health education. The program addresses barriers to care through sliding fee scales and integration with medical services to treat patients with complex health conditions requiring dental care.
Mental Health
Comprehensive mental health services include individual and group therapy, medication management, and specialized programs for trauma survivors. Our culturally adapted treatments address anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders through evidence-based practices. The department operates integrated behavioral health units across multiple clinic locations.
Pharmacy Services
The community pharmacy provides affordable medications through the 340(b) program and prescription assistance initiatives. Services include medication counseling, diabetes management support, and delivery to remote clinic sites. Pharmacists collaborate with providers to ensure proper medication use and adherence across all patient populations.
People
Zara Marselian
President and CEO
Dr. Marselian founded La Maestra in 1990 and has led its growth into a multi-site health system. She holds a PhD in Public Health and received numerous awards including the H. Jack Geiger Leadership Award. Her leadership focuses on health equity and innovative care models.
Javier Rodriguez
Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Rodriguez oversees clinical operations with 25+ years of experience in community health. He specializes in internal medicine and has expanded specialty care access through telemedicine programs. He directs quality improvement initiatives across all medical departments.
Carmela Ambrosio
Chief Dental Officer
Dr. Ambrosio leads dental services expansion, including mobile dental care. With expertise in public health dentistry, she developed programs addressing oral health disparities among underserved populations. She manages eight dental clinics and a mobile unit.
Mario Salguero
CCBHC Medical Director
Dr. Salguero directs behavioral health services as a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic. He specializes in addiction medicine and oversees integrated mental health programs. His work focuses on trauma-informed care for refugee and immigrant populations.
Zeyad Elia
Chief Pharmacy Officer
Dr. Elia manages pharmacy operations including medication access programs. With a background in public health, he implemented the 340(b) program and prescription assistance initiatives. He ensures medication safety and cost-effective treatment across all clinics.
Questions
What services do you offer?
We provide medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, and specialty care including OB/GYN, pediatrics, senior medicine, and chronic disease management. All services are available regardless of insurance or immigration status.
Do you accept patients without insurance?
Yes, we serve all patients regardless of insurance status. We offer a sliding fee scale based on income and family size to make care affordable for uninsured individuals.
Are services available in multiple languages?
Our staff provides interpretation in 12+ languages including Spanish, Somali, Vietnamese, and Arabic. Medical interpreters ensure clear communication between patients and providers during all appointments.
How can I access after-hours care?
For urgent medical needs after hours, call our main line at 619-779-7900 to reach on-call providers. Some locations offer extended evening hours for primary care services.
Do you offer transportation assistance?
We provide transportation information and coordinate with community partners to help patients access care. Mobile clinics bring services directly to underserved neighborhoods and schools.
What specialty programs are available?
Specialty programs include diabetes management, liver clinic, asthma care, telemedicine services, and integrated behavioral health. We also operate a mobile mammography unit and school-based health centers.
Reviews (6)
Gary N.
Jan 09, 2022
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Absolutely a terrible place, I gave it a two stars because the extra star came from the lady doctor who helped me with my eye glasses way back 2 years, she was the only decent person in that building. Every other people from the staffs were very very bad. I came in because I obviously saw a sign of Covid Testing on the outside with 2 of their mobile medical vans sitting. I walked in and was greeted with "Are you a patient here? Do you have an appointment?"
Next thing I know they told me that something across the street might be opened, and they lied because there was nothing across the
Next thing I know they told me that something across the street might be opened, and they lied because there was nothing across the
Cristina Vasquez
Dec 15, 2021
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I can never seem to have a good experience when I come here. No one ever seems to want to help you and if they do they never seem to know anything, just make a bunch of calls to supposedly to get an answer for you just to tell you they can't help. Literally the WORST clinic ever! Needs better staff.
Ana Fonseca
Nov 18, 2021
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Horrible service!!! For the women's clinic the front desk agents are beyond, rude everytime I'm there they're being rude to someone especially to the elderly. If they don't like their job then quit! Never returning back.
Olga Valle
Oct 30, 2021
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Zero people skills;front desk operator and checking in clerks ; Dont have the attitude to deal with patients.
Ghassan Jabbar
Oct 12, 2021
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From the beginning it seems to be bad experience, I called them multiple times and no answer. In different times. I called the connector and she immediately told me I will refer you even when I told her no one answer, and the same thing,no one answered. I want to make an appointment , my name is ghassan Jayyar.
Ana B.
Sep 13, 2021
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You would think because of Covid this clinic will be cleaning and sanitizing and keeping everyone 6ft apart! but no space is limited it's crowded, you have kid sections next to the adults that can be sick with who knows what .. people are right next to each other coughing , sneezing right by you also why ask us to make an appointment and be there 15 mins early if we are gonna end up waiting more than 3 hrs it's ridiculous!! staff is not organized sometimes on the phone or talking to each other not working at all while there is people waiting in lines!! when you do get called they are
