Over 1 in 4 children in Arizona live in poverty. Limited access to healthcare can lead to lack of preventative care, small health issues turning into emergency medical situations, and higher treatment costs. Under a licensed physician’s supervision, third- and fourth-year medical students from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine & Health Sciences (SCNM) treat patients at various community clinics throughout Maricopa County. Patients include children in impoverished school districts, domestic violence survivors, low-income families, individuals coping with HIV/AIDS, and patients recovering from drug and alcohol addiction. By providing healthcare to those who can’t afford it we are empowering underprivileged communities.

SCNM partners with established organizations and clinics in order to bring healthcare to those who need it most. SCNM Sage Foundation fundraises to support these clinics through the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit, which gives Arizona taxpayers a dollar-for-dollar credit on their state taxes. Additionally, several natural products and medical supply companies donate supplements and supplies to the clinics so that patients don’t need to purchase medications and the physicians have the supplies they need.

SCNM Sage Foundation partners with established organizations in Maricopa County in order to provide care to as many communities as possible. Doctors and students from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine & Health Sciences provide the highest quality of naturopathic and conventional healthcare thanks to the rigorous curriculum and a high standard of care. Additionally, partnerships with natural products companies provide in-kind supplement, acupuncture, and other therapies so that costs can remain extremely low or in most cases free.

Awareness of the SCNM Sage Foundation will be a key indicator of progress through increased visibility on social media; forming and surpassing new benchmarks for fundraisers such as our End of Year Campaign, Arizona Gives Day, and Giving Tuesday; and creating new community and corporate partnerships.

SCNM Sage Foundation provides nearly 10,000 patient visits each year. Our newest clinic, the Roosevelt Health Center, opened in 2017 and has since nearly doubled its operating hours, thanks to community grants and increased awareness of services provided. Long term goals include establishing Centers of Excellence to address pressing health issues, becoming Arizona’s leading academic healthcare partner for communities in need, and fully funding each community clinic through donations and partnerships.