Equipped to Care: MedCycle Network Supports Women's Health at Clínica Tepati
This Women's History Month, MedCycle Network is proud to celebrate a partnership that puts women's health at the center by delivering essential gynecological equipment and supplies to Clínica Tepati, a UC Davis School of Medicine affiliated student-run clinic in Sacramento serving the underserved Latinx community.
A Clinic With Deep Roots and an Enduring Mission
Clínica Tepati began in 1974, when a group of UC Davis students and faculty sought to reduce barriers to healthcare for a vulnerable segment of the Latino community in and around Sacramento. Its name is a take on "Tepatli," the Nahuatl word for healer, a nod to the cultural identity and dignity at the heart of everything the clinic does.
About 40 undergraduate students, six medical students, and several physicians care for patients every Saturday at Clínica Tepati, operating out of space provided by WellSpace Health in midtown Sacramento.Spanish interpretation services enable volunteers to communicate effectively and provide culturally sensitive care to more than 1,000 patients each year.For many of those patients who are uninsured, undocumented, and underserved, Clínica Tepati is their only access to care.
As Susan Murin, Dean of the UC Davis School of Medicine, has said: "For many of our students, their first experience caring for patients was at Clínica Tepati or another of our student-run affiliated clinics early in their medical education. We are proud of our students' deep commitment to health equity and passion for improving the lives of everyone in our community."
The Delivery: A Clinical Toolkit for Women's Health
MedCycle Network recently delivered a meaningful collection of supplies that directly strengthens Clínica Tepati's gynecological care program:
ChloraPrep, donated by our hospital partner Mercy General, less than two miles away
Colposcope, donated by one of our early clinic partner San Francisco Free Clinic
Speculums and surgical towels, donated by fellow UC Health partner UCSF Health
Together, these supplies represent something significant: a complete clinical toolkit for safe, dignified women's health screenings. The colposcope enables close examination of the cervix for early detection of disease, an essential tool for preventive care that can detect cervical cancer before it advances. The speculums make routine gynecological exams possible. The ChloraPrep antiseptic and surgical towels ensure every procedure begins in a sterile, safe environment.
That is the standard of care every woman deserves, with dignity and respect.
For a free student-run clinic operating on a lean budget, assembling clinical readiness through traditional procurement channels can be a significant financial burden. Through MedCycle Network's circular supply model, it arrived at no cost, matched from surplus, delivered where it was needed most and based entirely on their requests.
“Clínica Tepati has been showing up for Sacramento's Latinx community every Saturday for fifty years. What makes that possible isn't just the dedication of our students and physicians, it's partners who believe the same communities we serve deserve the same quality of care as anyone else. MedCycle Network is that kind of partner. This delivery didn't just stock our shelves. It strengthened our ability to care for the women who trust us with their health.” - Dr. Brenden Tu, Medical Director, Clínica Tepati
Why This Moment Matters
Women's History Month is a time to celebrate the organizations that have shown up for women and families, often quietly, consistently, and without fanfare. Since it was founded, Clínica Tepati has been a lifeline for tens of thousands of local residents who are uninsured or underinsured, and who appreciate being cared for by providers who understand their culture and language.
For fifty years, UC Davis students and physicians have answered that call every Saturday morning. MedCycle Network is honored and humbled to support them, ensuring that the future doctors training at Clínica Tepati have the equipment they need to provide the standard of women's care their patients deserve.
When a colposcope donated in San Francisco, antiseptic and surgical towels from a fellow UC Heath hospital, and ChloraPrep from a hospital down the streetfind their way to a Saturday clinic in Sacramento serving Latinx women, that is the circular health ecosystem working exactly as it should, strengthening each other. Surplus becomes support as community members continue to take care of each other.
Join the Cycle
Your support makes deliveries like this one possible.Donate now orbecome a partner to help us continue equipping the clinics that show up for our community members.