Tara Amini recognized for expanding access through mobile and telehealth care

Tara Amini, a Fresno-based certified physician associate, is being recognized for building mobile and street medicine programs that bring primary care, addiction treatment, reproductive health and psychiatric services to underserved communities. Her work across FQHCs and nonprofit systems reflects a broader push to make care more accessible, integrated and community-based.

Why it matters: - Tara Amini’s work targets patients who face the biggest barriers to care, including unsheltered, underserved and marginalized populations. - Her mobile and telehealth models aim to reduce gaps in primary care, addiction treatment, mental health care and reproductive health. - The approach matters because care delivered outside traditional clinic settings can improve access, continuity and trust for patients who are often left out of the system.

What happened: - Tara Amini, DMSc, PA-C, was recognized by Influential Women for her healthcare leadership and access-focused innovation. - Amini is based in Fresno, California, and works in federally qualified health centers and nonprofit healthcare systems. - Her work includes roles at Clinica Sierra Vista and Blackstone Community Health Center. - Amini has more than 20 years of experience in primary care, addiction medicine, gender-affirming care and women’s health. - She has also worked with Planned Parenthood and the University of Southern California, Providence and other healthcare organizations.

The details: - Amini developed a comprehensive mobile and street medicine program from the ground up at Clinica Sierra Vista. - The program provides primary care, addiction treatment, psychiatric services, reproductive healthcare, HIV prevention and minor procedures. - Amini serves in leadership roles with the California Academy of Physician Associates and PAs in Virtual Medicine and Telemedicine. - Her leadership work includes professional development, healthcare policy, education and telehealth standards. - Amini is a TNT Addiction Medicine Fellow with the University of California, Irvine. - She has also pursued advanced psychiatric training to better serve patients with mental health challenges, substance use disorders and social barriers. - Amini’s background as a former refugee, including more than two years in a refugee camp in Germany, shaped her commitment to non-discriminatory care. - She later attended medical school at Loma Linda University after immigrating from Iran. - Amini credits mentors including Dr. Delisi, Dr. Ayala, Dr. Gousse and Dr. Meave for supporting her career. - Her Influential Women profile is available here, and her Clinica Sierra Vista profile is available here.

Between the lines: - Amini’s career shows how clinician-led outreach can expand care without waiting for patients to come into a traditional office. - Her focus on public health integration suggests a model that connects clinical care with community partnerships rather than treating them separately. - Her emphasis on multilingualism, mentorship and persistence points to a broader leadership style built on lived experience as well as medical training.

What’s next: - Amini sees the biggest opportunity in expanding services for unsheltered and underserved populations. - She expects stronger partnerships between healthcare organizations, public health agencies and community providers to improve access and outcomes. - Her continued work in mobile care, telemedicine and addiction medicine will likely remain central to that effort.

The bottom line: - Tara Amini is using community-based medicine to make healthcare more reachable, more integrated and more humane for patients who are often hardest to serve.