Taking a moment from their busy schedule, Marcia and Oscar Sablan call their granddaughter to wish her a happy birthday. The Sablan's opened the Sablan Medical Clinic in Firebaugh 30 years ago.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Bethany Mollenkof / Los Angeles Times

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Newborn Julian Rodriguez is brought in by her mother for a check-up to the Sablan clinic. The clinic serves a variety of patients, young and old.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Bethany Mollenkof / Los Angeles Times

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Oscar Sablan shares a light moment with longtime patient Carolyn Selzer after going over x-ray results.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Bethany Mollenkof / Los Angeles Times

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Angelica Avalos and her two daughters, Angelica, 3, and Valerie, 1, wait to be seen at the Sablan Medical Clinic.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Bethany Mollenkof / Los Angeles Times

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Locals residents gather to drink coffee and eat donuts in the rural community of Firebaugh.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Bethany Mollenkof / Los Angeles Times

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Elvira Silva walks with friends along a river path in Firebaugh after receiving food at a monthly food bank giveaway. Firebaugh is a rural farming community with a population of about 7,000 people.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Bethany Mollenkof / Los Angeles Times

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Firebaugh is a rural farming community with a population of about 7,000 people. Unemployment is nearly 40%.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Bethany Mollenkof / Los Angeles Times

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Oscar Sablan makes arrangements for patients who need to see specialists.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Bethany Mollenkof / Los Angeles Times

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Complaining about stomach pains, Michael Murillo, 57, came into the clinic early in the day seeking relief.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Bethany Mollenkof / Los Angeles Times

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In towns like Firebaugh, traveling to a hospital means a long drive and doctors and pharmacists are in short supply. The nearest hospital is 20 miles away and the closest trauma center is nearly 40.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Bethany Mollenkof / Los Angeles Times

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