MNHC is committed to improving the lives of individuals with chronic conditions. We provide health education to improve patient confidence to manage their conditions, helping them to avoid complications, build greater self-efficacy and improve their health. Patients may participate in individual self-management instruction or group health education. Our chronic care programs are listed below:

• Individual One-on-One Counseling (with referral from an MNHC medical provider)

  We offer individual nutrition counseling and health coaching for the following chronic conditions:

• • Pre-Diabetes
• • Diabetes
• • Hyperlipidemia (High Cholesterol)
• • Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
• • Asthma
• • Overweight and Obesity

• Monthly Group Diabetes Education Series

  An opportunity for patients to join together and learn from one another and their health providers. Participants will gain a better understanding of how their behavior, food choices, lifestyle and approach to their diabetes affects their health. Topics include:

• • The patient’s central role in managing their diabetes
• • Effective self-management support strategies that include assessment, goal-setting, action planning, problem-solving, & follow-up
• • Organizing resources to provide support
• • Nutrition classes and cooking classes
• • Tips for communicating with your doctor
• • Glucose (blood sugar) control

• Peer-to-peer (Promotores) Diabetes Program

  Local community members with diabetes provide prevention and self-care education within their neighborhoods, with others who also suffer from diabetes. Promotores support MNHC events and work closely with other patients and their families. The program is a collaboration with community organizations including the San Francisco Department of Public Health, American Diabetes Association, San Francisco Community Clinic Consortium (SFCCC) the Central American Resource Center (CARECEN), and others.

  Weight Management

• • Individual counseling with a Registered Dietitian (referral by an MNHC medical provider required)
• • Nutrition and Exercise Classes scheduled throughout the year

For more information about our chronic care programs, please contact: Jacqueline Gaytan, RD, Chronic Care Coordinator at (415) 552-1013, extension 2221.

As part of its comprehensive prenatal program, MNHC offers patients the opportunity to prepare for their pregnancy in a group setting that fosters learning and community support. The patients are grouped by their delivery dates and meet together with a midwife and health educator throughout their pregnancy. Centering Pregnancy © services are currently only offered in Spanish. The group sessions include:

• • Medical care by Certified Nurse Midwives
• • Regular visits with nutritionist, health educator and social worker
• • Health education classes including preparation for labor, breastfeeding, postpartum care, maternal nutrition and how to care for your baby
• • Social support groups and activities
• • Post-delivery follow up care

 
For more information, please call (415) 552-3870 extension 2549.

Clínica Esperanza “Knitting Group” for Patients

The Clinica Esperanza Knitting Group, founded in 2007, brings together patients with HIV and their friends and family for evenings of sharing, support and stress reduction. The group participants bring their own craft making skills and teach each other how to knit, embroider, the art of “quilling” paper and other crafts all in a space where clients can relax, meet other patients, and create community. Participants must be patients at MNHC, but they may drop-in; there is no need to register for this activity.

• Hours:
• Every Thursday from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
• Location:
• Second floor conference room
• Mission Neighborhood Health Center,
• 240 Shotwell Street
• San Francisco, CA 94110

 
For more information, please call Eduardo Antonio at (415) 552-1013, extension 2310.
 

Clinica Esperanza Mask Making Workshops

Each year, since 2005, Clínica Esperanza unites patients, family members, partner organizations and the community to create masks to celebrate World AIDS Day (December 1st). During the months leading up to December 1st, workshop participants make casts of their face and decorate them while reflecting on the impact of HIV in the community. The workshop series culminates in the exhibition of the masks at a gallery event where a ceremony takes place to commemorate the lives lost to HIV/AIDS and to celebrate life and hope.

For more information about this year’s free workshops, please call Armando Rodriguez at (415) 552-1013, extension 2569.
 

The Shanti L.I.F.E.® Program at Clinica Esperanza

The L.I.F.E.® Program, the nation’s leading HIV self-management and health-enhancement program, provides participants with the knowledge, motivation, skills, and support necessary to establish and maintain health-protective habits and routines. L.I.F.E., which stands for Learning Immune Function Enhancement, focuses on improving participants’ health and immune system through an evidence-based holistic approach. Clínica Esperanza is the only site in San Francisco that offers the Shanti L.I.F.E.® Program in Spanish. Participants learn about “co-factors”, such as beliefs about HIV, self-assertiveness, health routines and stress, that impact their health and create action plans to improve their performance on each co-factor.

The program is offered in cycles of 13 weeks. Dinner is offered at every session. Clients who wish to participate need to register with a L.I.F.E. facilitator. Cycle starting dates are announced at least one month before the starting date.

For more information on the Shanti L.I.F.E Program, please visit Shanti’s website.

To register or for more information, please call Armando Rodriguez at (415) 552-1013, extension 2569.