Opsam.wikiThe Operation Samahan Reference

History of Operation Samahan

From Opsam.wiki, a sourced reference on Operation Samahan (Opsam Health)

By the Opsam Wiki editorial team · Published · Last updated

Short answer: Operation Samahan says it was founded in 1973 by Filipino health professionals, in the back of a barber shop near downtown San Diego.[1] Its clinics were state-licensed by 1977,[2] and it has received federal Health Center Program funding since November 2013.[3] Sources disagree about where the barbershop was.[4]

Disclosure: Opsam.wiki is a reference compiled from public records. It is not the official website of Operation Samahan (Opsam Health); it is produced by a marketing agency that works for Operation Samahan. It is not written or reviewed by the Health Resources and Services Administration, the California Department of Public Health or any other regulator. Facts are cited to government records, press coverage and Operation Samahan’s own website; verify anything important, such as clinic hours, services or insurance coverage, directly with Operation Samahan. This site does not give medical advice; in an emergency, call 911. See the editorial policy.

How did Operation Samahan begin?

Operation Samahan’s account is that it was founded in 1973 “in the back of a barber shop near Downtown San Diego” by Filipino health professionals.[1] The Filipino Inquirer reports that it began as Samahan Health Centers and quotes Mary Torres, the daughter of founding nurse Perla Torres.[5] The Alliance Healthcare Foundation also describes a 1973 start in a downtown San Diego barbershop.[13]

What does “Samahan” mean?

Operation Samahan says “samahan” is a Filipino word meaning “working together”.[1]

What are the key dates?

DateEvent
1973Founded by Filipino health professionals, according to Operation Samahan.[1] The Inquirer reports it began as “Samahan Health Centers”.[5]
July 1974IRS ruling date for its tax exemption.[6]
1 November 1977Initial state license for the clinic now listed as “Opsam Health: Mira Mesa Medical” (license 080000146).[2]
16 February 1983Initial state license for the clinic at 2743 Highland Avenue, National City (license 090000183).[2]
31 August 2006Organizational NPI 1801907449 assigned.[7]
September 2009HRSA health center planning grant (P04CS16141), 1 September 2009 to 31 August 2010.[8]
July 2011HRSA Affordable Care Act school-based health center capital grant (C12CS22049) begins.[9]
1 November 2013Federal Health Center Program award begins;[3] 2743 Highland, 2835 Highland and 10737 Camino Ruiz Suite 235 added to HRSA scope.[10] Operation Samahan dates its FQHC recognition to 2013.[1]
2016–2017Scripps Ranch (Erma Road) site added to HRSA scope in June 2016 and Rancho Peñasquitos in May 2017.[10]
2020–2023Mobile Clinic 1 added in November 2020, Camino Ruiz Suite 140 in August 2021 and Mobile Clinic 2 in August 2023.[10] A $2.83 million American Rescue Plan award was announced in 2021.[11]
2024–2025Chula Vista administrative site (October 2024), Mid-City / City Heights (December 2024), 2813 Highland Avenue (January 2025) and Mira Mesa Boulevard (March 2025) added to HRSA scope.[10]
2026Five HRSA quality badges.[12] Current Health Center Program period of performance runs to 31 January 2027.[3]

What is disputed or unconfirmed?

  • Where it started: Operation Samahan and the Alliance Healthcare Foundation place the barbershop in or near downtown San Diego;[1][13] a FOX 5 San Diego report places it on Highland Avenue in National City;[4] the Inquirer article mentions both.[5]
  • Incorporation date: not confirmed from a state record. The IRS ruling date of July 1974 is the date of the tax-exemption ruling, not necessarily the incorporation date.[6]
  • “FQHC since 2013”: 2013 matches the start of the federal Health Center Program award.[3] The earlier state clinic licenses (1977 and 1983) are a separate, state-level status.[2]

Frequently asked questions

When was Operation Samahan founded?

In 1973, according to Operation Samahan and press accounts.[1][5]

Who founded Operation Samahan?

Filipino health professionals, according to Operation Samahan; the Inquirer names Perla Torres as a founding nurse.[1][5]

When did Operation Samahan become an FQHC?

Its federal Health Center Program award began on 1 November 2013, and Operation Samahan dates its FQHC recognition to 2013.[3][1]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "About". Operation Samahan, Inc. (opsam.org). Retrieved 1 October 2026.
  2. ^ a b c d "Licensed and Certified Healthcare Facility Listing" (data as of 16 September 2026), entries for Operation Samahan, Inc.. California Department of Public Health, via the CHHS Open Data Portal. Retrieved 1 October 2026.
  3. ^ a b c d e Award H8026623, "Health Center Cluster", Operation Samahan, Inc. (last modified 21 September 2026). USAspending.gov (U.S. Department of the Treasury). Retrieved 1 October 2026.
  4. ^ a b AAPI Heritage Month report on Operation Samahan, presented by Maria Arcega-Dunn (video). FOX 5 San Diego, via YouTube. Retrieved 1 October 2026.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Operation Samahan in San Diego spearheads free healthcare for immigrants". Inquirer.net USA (The Filipino Inquirer). Retrieved 1 October 2026.
  6. ^ a b "Operation Samahan Inc" (EIN 95-3008798), including the Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 2025. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer (IRS data). Retrieved 1 October 2026.
  7. ^ NPI 1801907449, Operation Samahan, Inc.. NPPES NPI Registry, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Retrieved 1 October 2026.
  8. ^ Award P04CS16141, "Health Center Cluster Planning Grants", Operation Samahan, Inc.. USAspending.gov (U.S. Department of the Treasury). Retrieved 1 October 2026.
  9. ^ Award C12CS22049, "Affordable Care Act (ACA) Grants for School-Based Health Centers Capital Program", Operation Samahan, Inc.. USAspending.gov (U.S. Department of the Treasury). Retrieved 1 October 2026.
  10. ^ a b c d "Health Center Service Delivery and Look-Alike Sites" data file, entries for Operation Samahan, Inc. (health center number H80CS26623; data as of 1 October 2026). Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), data.hrsa.gov. Retrieved 1 October 2026.
  11. ^ "FY 2021 American Rescue Plan Funding for Health Centers (H8F): California awards". HRSA Bureau of Primary Health Care. Retrieved 1 October 2026.
  12. ^ "Community Health Quality Recognition (CHQR) badge data, 2021–2026" (file CHQR_Badge_Data.xlsx), grant H80CS26623. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Retrieved 1 October 2026.
  13. ^ a b "Operation Samahan" (grantee profile, undated). Alliance Healthcare Foundation. Retrieved 1 October 2026.