I am honored to pay tribute to one of Sacramento's most giving and cherished citizens. Dr. Hom's legacy is a true testament to community service. If a template for leadership could be made, it would surely bear the resemblance of Dr. Paul Hom. Although he is no longer with us, his legacy of compassion and care for the disadvantaged will continue to live on.
- Robert T. Matsui, U.S. House of Representatives
We serve anyone and everyone who walks through our doors with dignity, compassion, and care.
Dr. Paul Hom had an untiring commitment to the clinic and to its purpose in serving patients of all ages in the Asian community who lack adequate healthcare due to cultural, linguistic, or economic barriers. Healthcare at PHAC continues to be provided at no charge to all patients.
Our History
Our Beginnings
In 1971, a group of UC Davis medical students led by Paul Hom held meetings with a group of activist undergraduate students from the California State University of Sacramento to discuss improving health care for elderly Asians and new immigrant families who were struggling to obtain adequate health care due to socioeconomic and language barriers and decided to start a free clinic to target this problem.
Creating a Team
Paul Hom approached Dr. Lindy Kumagai, one of the few Asian medical faculty members at UC Davis School of Medicine, and asked if he would be the medical director of the clinic. Dr. Lindy Kumagai was an advocate for the Civil Rights Movement and underserved Asian communities. He accepted the position and worked with Paul Hom and UC Davis medical students for the next 30 years.
Early Operations
The "Asian Clinic", as it was called before being renamed to the Paul Hom Asian Clinic, operated out of the back of a bookstore providing primary care services to 9 to 10 patients every Saturday. After some time, the community closed the bookstore and the clinic moved to the Sacramento Projects in New Helvetia (low income housing). Finally, the clinic moved to its current location at the Safe Credit Union on Folsom Boulevard.
Continuing The Legacy
After serving for 30 years, Dr. Lindy Kumagai passed on his position as medical director to Dr. Ronald Guy Jan. Dr. Jan had been volunteering for the clinic since 1980. He had an undying dedication and passion for serving the underserved. In the midst of starting his own practice, Dr. Jan would do his rounds between seven different hospitals and then come to the clinic to take on any patient that needed his help. Dr. Jan served for ~18-20 years before passing his position to the current medical director Dr. Christian Bohringer.
Dr. Paul Hom had an untiring commitment to the clinic and to its purpose in serving patients of all ages in the Asian community who lack adequate healthcare due to cultural, linguistic, or economic barriers. Healthcare continues to be provided at no charge to all patients. The existence of the Paul Hom Asian Clinic has proved beneficial not only to the patients, but also to the undergraduate students, medical students, and physicians who volunteer their time and efforts. The legacy of Dr. Paul Hom continues to thrive and is the oldest Asian clinic in all of America.
Today
PAUL HOM'S LEGACY
Paul Hom's legacy extends beyond just our clinic. Another building, known as the
Paul F. Hom Primary Care Center
serves as the Sacramento County Health Center (SCHC). Inside the building, in one of the main hallways, stands a display of Paul Hom and a poem written by his wife. Dr. Hom is truly an inspiration to the staff who keep the clinic running.
Geoff Hom, son of Paul Hom, standing beside his father's display.
4600 Broadway, Sacramento, CA, 95820
"The focus of the Sacramento County Health Center is to provide primary care and behavioral health services to the underserved, Medi-Cal, and uninsured /underinsured residents of Sacramento County. The County’s Refugee Clinic is housed in the same building; a third of the patients in Sacramento County Health Center are Dari or Pashto-speaking refugee children from Afghanistan and Pakistan."