New Rialto clinic specializes in obstetric care for Black women – San Bernardino Sun

Elected officials, community leaders and medical professionals recently gathered in Rialto to celebrate the grand opening of a clinic that will provide prenatal and perinatal health care to underserved Black women and their families.

The Neighborly Adaptable Equitable care for Black Obstetric patients with Respect (NAEBOR) Clinic was made possible by a grant from First 5 San Bernardino and led by longtime Inland Empire physician Dr. Guillermo J. Valenzuela.

The NAEBOR Clinic seeks to reverse systemic issues that have left Black families suffering worse health outcomes during pregnancy and infancy than any other group, according to a news release.

Historically, Black women experience higher rates of infant mortality and are three to four times more likely to die in childbirth when compared to women of other races, according to the news release. Reasons for those outcomes can include structural racism and bias in the health care system and a lack of access to reproductive health care.

“In San Bernardino County, Black women have among the lowest rates of early prenatal care, when compared to mothers of other races. These statistics are simply unacceptable,” Valenzuela said in the news release.

“By increasing access to culturally appropriate prenatal care for pregnant Black women in San Bernardino County, we can improve perinatal outcomes and improve the health of Black women and their families in our communities. Our goal is to make this clinic the model for tackling these issues,” Valenzuela said.

Studies have shown that women of color have also reported feelings of discrimination, neglect or disrespect within the health care system and such experiences affect their inclination to seek care during pregnancy or after, according to the news release. By training of health care team members in cultural awareness and implicit bias, the NAEBOR Clinic aims to help improve reproductive health care outcomes.

“In San Bernardino County and my own city of Rialto, we are experiencing a public health crisis when it comes to pregnant Black women and their children,” Rialto Mayor Deborah Robertson said in the news release. “By helping to address these issues, the clinic will help change the trajectory of pregnant Black women who have felt discrimination, disrespect and barriers to their care.”

The NAEBOR Medical Group’s service model is built around comprehensive social services, community health care workers and community relationships.

The NAEBOR Clinic will operate from the existing Mommy & Me Medical Group Clinic at 416 W. Foothill Blvd. in Rialto.

For information on the clinic or to schedule an appointment, call 909-421-0493 or go to naeborclinic.com/.