Our Beginnings

United Community Heath Center (UCHC) was formed in 1984 as an offspring of Rural Heath Office, College of Medicine, University of Arizona. UCHC separated from the University in 1986. The UCHC parent organization began with the Continental Clinic (now Continental Family Medical Center), the Arivaca Clinic and the Three Points Clinic.

This non-profit organization came into being because of Dr. Augusto Ortiz who spent most of his medical career practicing and providing heath care to poor and migrant people in disadvantaged communities all over the state of Arizona. It was his idea to create affordable heath care for those who could not afford to pay the standard rate of medical fees.

As a result of this relentless dedication, Dr. Ortiz was honored in 1993 as “Arizona Family Doctor of the Year.”

Augusto "Gus" Ortiz, MD, who has dedicated more than five decades of his life to bringing health care to the poor and underserved in Arizona, was honored with U.S. Surgeon General Medallion in his home July 19, 2006