Imani, a Swahili word meaning "faith", was selected partially for the African philosophy of community embodied in the principles of Kwanzaa, an African-American year-end tradition. The word also represents the faith that we as students have in the strength and worthiness of our communities, as well as the faith we hope to foster within those communities of the ability of the health care system to address their medical needs and social realities.

As decades of undergraduates, medical students, and preceptors have volunteered their time   with us, Imani has upheld the following four pillars as a part of our mission of providing culturally informed and community-based care in Oak Park, Sacramento, in partnership with UCDH.

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1. To provide holistic, preventive, episodic, and culturally competent care targeted towards the African Diaspora of current and historic Oak Park

2. To train and shape diverse future healthcare workers, learners, and community members conscious of the complexities of all aspects of well-being

3. To develop long-standing relationships with community members to provide culturally specific and sensitive services to advance the well-being of Oak Park

4. To radically advocate for the health, education, and futures of our community and grow future leaders who will positively impact their communities