OASIS Clinic

A non-profit organization

The primary mission of O.A.S.I.S. is to provide high quality medical care, develop successful models of clinical intervention, and to develop and provide educational materials for the medically marginalized. We serve a multi-ethnic community, approximately ⅓ of whom are medically uninsured or underinsured and over 50% of whom have substance abuse histories—including alcohol abuse—of greater than 20 years duration. Our treatment services are available to all persons, regardless of how they contracted hepatitis C.

The

Read about us in the New York Times

HEPATITIS C • HIV • ADDICTION

About US

Partnerships

Collaborations

A focus of the OASIS Clinic is attending to the healthcare and psychosocial needs of persons infected with hepatitis C (HCV), and residing in the greater East Bay community. We participate in a number of collaborations with Bay Area, Southern California, West Coast, other US urban area partners, as well as the National Institute for Drug Abuse (NIDA), the Health Resources Services Adminstration (HRSA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Research

Studies

• Quantitative assessment of interferon mediated neuropsychiatric toxicity.

• Combined buprenorphine and hepatitis C treatment for heroin users.

• Treating HCV in transplant ineligible patients with severe cirrhosis.

• The efficacy of hepatitis C treatment during methadone maintenance therapy.

Education

Preceptorships

The OASIS Clinic serves as a preceptorship site for UCSF medical student and UC Berkeley Joint Medical Programs. Partnering medical students with patients traditionally excluded from the health care system, the OASIS Clinic is helping to alter prevailing attitudes about the undeserved from within the medical profession.

MEDICAL • EDUCATIONAL • ADMINISTRATIVE

Our Team

Executive Director

Diana Sylvestre

is a graduate of Harvard Medical School and trained at the Brigham & Women’s Hospital and the Sloan Kettering Institute. A specialist in addiction medicine, Dr. Sylvestre is a leading medical researcher on HCV treatment in addicted patients and an Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at UCSF. She is a Recipient of the California Society of Addiction Medicine’s Vernelle Fox Award.

Senior Peer Educator

Orlando Chavez

organizes and implements health outreach interventions for viral hepatitis and HIV at high risk outreach venues. He also advocates for awareness, testing, linkage to care and treatment for viral hepatitis and HIV and attends board meetings at both HEPPAC and the Berkeley Free Clinic. Orlando helps structure and implement strategic planning for both organizations.

Peer Educator

Martha Williams

has been an activist with OASIS for over a decade. She is a founding member of both Hep C Free Oakland and United for Drug Policy Reform. In 2010, Martha accepted the Daniel R. Keenan award from the Center for Applied Local Research on behalf of UDPR for their healthcare advocacy efforts with poor and marginalized patients.

Peer Educator

Peter Howe

iis the Director of Volunteer Services at the OASIS Clinic. Peter is the hepatitis C educator and trainer for the OASIS Peer Education Program. He is almost always available for questions during the weekly support group.

Front Desk

Cathy Rodgers

is the administrative secretary of OASIS. In addition to the processing of copays, daily reports and insurance verifications, Kathy holds a Phlebotomy Technician 1 certification (CPT I) from the Kaiser Permanente School of Allied Health Sciences, as well as a Bachelor of Administration from the Wharton School University of Pennsylvania Wharton School.

Media

Chris McNeil

is the full-time graphic designer, videographer and web developer for OASIS Clinic's PSA campaigns, patient educational materials, direct mail and outreach literature. His hobbies include typography and competitive darts. You can see his work under the materials tab.

Advocacy

GRASSROOTS • LEGISLATIVE ACTIVISM

{

To learn more about the OASIS Clinic's local activism in the City of Oakland and Alameda County, inquire about Hep C Free Oakland.

}

Support Groups

MOTIVATE • EDUCATE • FACILITATE

Q: Will OASIS test me for hep C?

A: Yes. Testing is free and confidential.

Q: Will OASIS treat me for hep C?

A: Yes.

Q: When are the walk-in services for hep C?

A: Free walk-in services are at 12 PM on Tuesdays. There is a break at 1 PM. The group ends at 2 PM.

Q: Is there really a free lunch provided?

A: Yes.

Q: Should I bring my old medical records?

A: Yes.

Q: How about a list of my medications?

A: That would help, too.

Q: What do I do when I get there?

A: There is a sign-in sheet by the door. PRINT your name clearly and you will be called for a consultation with a clinician in the order your name appears on the list. Patients currently enrolled in a clinical research study may take priority if volume is high, but we will get to you eventually.

Q: Do I have to be a hep C patient to attend?

A: No. Friends and family members also attend these meetings to give support and learn about hepatitis C.

Q: Didn't you guys used to located somewhere else?

A: Yes. Our old location was 2862 Telegraph. Our new location is about 500 feet away (just around the corner) at 520 27th St.

Q: How big are these meetings?

A: Anywhere from 10 to 40 people.

Q: Do I have to talk at this meeting if I don't want to?

A: Absolutely not.

Q: I still have more questions. Who do I talk to?

A: Peer Educator Orlando Chavez or Peter Howe are usually on hand to answer questions.