County expands integrative‑medicine work and plans mobile medical unit pilot at De Anza College

Santa Clara Valley Health Care leaders told the county Health and Hospital Committee they are advancing integrative medicine practices systemwide and will launch a mobile medical unit (MMU) pilot at De Anza College to expand access to primary care.

Paul Lorenz, identified in the meeting as the health system CEO, and clinical staff including the program lead for integrative medicine described work to develop multidisciplinary programs (nutritionists, social workers, behavioral health) targeting complex metabolic conditions as part of a broader five‑year plan. Presenters said they are collaborating with Alameda County clinicians on a "food as medicine" model and are exploring reimbursement pathways for non‑traditional services such as acupuncture or chiropractic care when delivered within medical teams.

Supervisors pressed for a concrete, time‑bound road map and measurable milestones. Committee members were told a draft five‑year plan exists but is iterative; staff committed to producing timelines, goals and periodic updates so the board can track adoption and outcomes.

On the mobile medical unit, county staff announced the MMU will be parked at De Anza College beginning May 6 and operate once a week on Wednesdays as a one‑year pilot. Services listed by the primary care director include routine checkups, sick visits, vaccinations, laboratory testing, and referrals into the primary care network. Staff said the pilot will start one day per week while utilization is monitored; if demand warrants, the schedule could expand (for example, to two days per week). The committee requested a quarterly update after launch — staff suggested August as an initial follow‑up.

Public commenters and the Health Advisory Commission expressed support for scaling integrative services and using grants to seed program innovation; speakers pointed to Alameda County’s food‑as‑medicine initiatives as a replicable model. Clinical presenters noted barriers including fee‑for‑service reimbursement models and system silos, and said local clinician licensing (some primary care clinicians obtaining acupuncture credentials) could support new service mixes.

What happens next: Staff will produce more detailed road maps and return with progress reports; the MMU pilot will launch on May 6 and committee members requested a performance update in approximately one quarter.