San Francisco Department of Public Health's Potrero Hill Health Center Celebrates 50 Years of Community-Centered Care

San Francisco, CA – The San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) today celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Potrero Hill Health Center, a milestone rooted in the power of community advocacy and decades of partnership between residents and the City. What began as a grassroots effort to secure accessible, affordable health care in Potrero Hill has grown into one of San Francisco’s most trusted neighborhood health centers.

"For 50 years, the Potrero Hill Health Center has been part of the fabric of this neighborhood, bringing everyday care directly to the people of Potrero Hill,” said Mayor Daniel Lurie. "As we look ahead, the Department of Public Health remains committed to keeping care accessible in this neighborhood. We will continue working to ensure Potrero Hill residents have a clinic they can count on for years to come."

“The Department of Public Health is proud to celebrate with the community the fiftieth anniversary of the Potrero Hill Health Center,” said Director of Health Daniel Tsai, “The Potrero Hill Health Center was born from community advocacy and is now a vital part of our San Francisco Health Network. Today, we honor that legacy and remain committed to the founding principles of providing accessible comprehensive care and working alongside our communities to meet evolving health needs together.”

Today, the health center remains an essential part of the San Francisco Health Network, SFDPH’s public healthcare system, serving more than 12,000 patients annually. Potrero Hill Health Center provides a wide range of primary care services including behavioral health, addiction treatment, nutrition support, dental care, podiatry, pharmacy consultation, social services, acupuncture, and management of chronic illnesses, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. The Potrero Hill Health Center provides culturally responsive and trauma informed care in a setting designed to connect patients and their families with all of the providers and programs needed to lead healthier lives.

The health center’s story began in the early 1970s, when Potrero Hill residents organized to demand a local clinic that reflected the needs and experiences of the neighborhood. Community members conducted their own assessments, made their case to city leaders, and worked directly with public health officials to plan a facility that would bring care closer to home. Their persistence led to the opening of the clinic in 1976, establishing a model for community-driven health care that continues to guide the center’s work today.

For five decades, the clinic has remained grounded in the values that shaped its creation. Generations of staff have provided comprehensive services ranging from primary care and behavioral health to addiction treatment, dental care, nutrition support, and social services. The anniversary celebration honored the residents, advocates, and staff whose dedication has ensured the clinic’s success across half a century.

“For 50 years, the Potrero Hill Health Center has been a vital part of our community, providing accessible care to generations of residents. Its longstanding commitment to meeting the health needs of our diverse community reflects the kind of public health investment that helps families thrive,” said D10 Supervisor Shamann Walton. “I’m proud to celebrate this milestone and thank the dedicated healthcare professionals and staff who have made this work possible. Congratulations on 50 years of service and many more years of caring for our community.”

“For 50 years, generations of health care professionals and support staff have helped make this health center a trusted place for patients and families,” said Aman Lail, Chief Administrative Officer for SFDPH’s Ambulatory Services Division. “To all our staff, past and present – from the newest employee to the most tenured – thank you for your compassion, dedication, and care you’ve brought to Potrero Hill over the years.”

As the Department of Public Health strengthens neighborhood-based care across the city, the Potrero Hill Health Center remains a powerful example of what can be achieved when community advocacy and public health come together. The center will continue to grow in partnership with residents, ensuring that Potrero Hill has access to high-quality, culturally responsive care for generations to come.

About the San Francisco Department of Public Health
The mission of the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) is to protect and promote the health of all San Franciscans. SFDPH achieves its mission through the work of three main divisions – the San Francisco Health Network, Population Health Division and Behavioral Health Division. The San Francisco Health Network is a community of top-rated clinics, hospitals and programs that serves more than 125,000 people annually at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, Laguna Honda Hospital, and ambulatory care clinics across the city. For more information about our services, visit sf.gov/publichealth.