Source: Los Angeles Times
On July 3, 2000, the Los Angeles Times published an article on a new free clinic in Panorama City, California. The Buddhist Tzu-Chi Free Clinic, located on Blythe Street, provides free medical services to members of the community who previously were unable to afford basic medical care such as check-ups and dental visits. Maritza de Artan, director of the Immaculate Heart Community Blythe Street, a community organization, had been aware that many members of her community were unable to receive medical care, and after a "few telephones and a lot of networking," she discovered the clinic and spread the word to the community. "More than 150 volunteers from all over the U.S. and Canada offered services in acupuncture, pediatrics, dentistry, internal medicine, family practice, and other services, clinic spokeswoman Debra T. Boudreaux said."