Our vision
About us
About LRRI
Shaping the future of health care through multidisciplinary partnership and real-world impact.
Our history
A legacy of leadership
In 1970, Laura Rodriguez and community members held a demonstration to increase access to medical care for the community of Barrio Logan.
After eight days of occupying the San Diego Industrial School building and negotiating with the City of San Diego, the building was gifted to the community. This lead to the establishment of the Chicano Free Clinic, which initially provided care two evenings a week and served about 150 patients each month.
This building eventually became Logan Heights Family Health Center, the flagship clinic of Family Health Centers of San Diego (FHCSD). FHCSD has since transformed into one of the top 10 largest federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) in the country, operating more than 90 sites across San Diego County and providing care to more than 227,000 patients each year.
In service of our vision and mission, FHCSD launched the Laura Rodriguez Research Institute (LRRI) in October 2019.
The FHCSD and LRRI journey
A guiding light
In 1991, Laura Rodriguez received the 595th Points of Light Award from President George H.W. Bush
The LRRI logo honors her legacy with a central point of light that illuminates the needs of the community
The eight beams represent the eight days of the original community occupation
Our logo reflects that our research aims to do the same — illuminate and understand the needs of the community so that we may close gaps in care, improve health outcomes and transform research into practical solutions that create lasting change.
Our mission
Innovative research that translates science into high quality care
To conduct responsible, culturally responsive, community-engaged clinical and population-based health research in the unique real-world setting found in community health centers, with a special commitment to uninsured, low-income and medically underserved persons
Our team
A shared mission
Hear from our team about how their work brings LRRI’s mission and values to life.