Lestonnac Media Kit
Since its inception in 1979, Lestonnac Free Clinic has provided 139,129 patients with medical, dental, and vision services through 475, 753 patient visits.
Boilerplate Description:
Lestonnac Free Clinic is a non-profit community clinic that provides free medical, dental, and vision services to the low-income and uninsured residents of Southern California. Lestonnac provides services through both mobile and brick-and-mortar clinic sites across the counties of Orange, Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside. Through connections with other community partners, Lestonnac ensures that patients have access to all the services they need to live happier and healthier lives. Follow Lestonnac Free Clinic on social media or visit www.lestonnacfreeclinic.org to learn more.
Clinic Photos
Sister Marie Therese Solomon
Foundress
Sister Marie Therese served as a nun in the Sisters of the Company of Mary and dedicated the majority of her life to mission work in Brazil and Africa. She taught and cared for children in the various places she served. After a long tenure in missions, she was transferred to St. Jeanne de Lestonnac School, in Tustin CA, to teach French and music classes.
At 70 years of age she retired from teaching, but still felt she had a lot to give back. She and a few other ladies began making and delivering food baskets to families in underserved communities. They were shocked at what they saw, especially noting the extreme lack of health care access. As Orange County has no public hospital, these families were forced to either spend exorbitant amounts of money, or forgo care all together. Women would give birth in garages to keep from paying hospital bills they could not afford. This was the experience that drove Sister to found Lestonnac Free Clinic, named after the foundress of her Order who worked to ensure that the underserved were provided with the resources they needed.
Edward (Ed) Gerber
Current Executive Director
Ed's journey with Lestonnac began when he was without insurance and his son needed medical care. His degree in accounting and connection with the clinic eventually paved the way for him to join the Lestonnac team, as the accountant, in 1993. Since then his passion and love for our mission has given him a vision of expansion. Under his leadership, Lestonnac has grown from one clinic to many all over Southern California.
When he is not working Ed can be found spending time with his family- traveling, going to Duck's games, and enjoying good food. Over his many years at the clinic he is still inspired daily by the providers who volunteer their time year after year to take care of our underserved population. You may often hear him say that we (Lestonnac) "look for solutions, not excuses," which he hopes will continue to be a driving force in the clinic for years to come.
