About

Our Mission

To provide accessible quality health care to those who need it, especially the underserved.

Our Vision

To be recognized as a leader in providing patient and community centered care in collaboration with other organizations.

Cheryl’s experience with the Sonoma Valley Community Health Center and the impact of the recent fire on the community and her organization.

History

Sonoma Valley Community Health Center (SVCHC) is a non-profit, federally qualified health center that opened in 1992 as a free-standing primary health care clinic. SVCHC began as a grassroots effort to address the lack of access and disparities of health care for the uninsured and underserved in Sonoma Valley. Since its inception, SVCHC has grown in capacity to serve Medi-cal, insured, underinsured, private insurance, private pay patients and provides sliding scale fees for those in need. In addition to medical services, SVCHC offers behavioral health, an in-house phlebotomy service, dental clinic, pharmacy services and certified bilingual enrollment professionals to help determine eligibility and enrollment options. We believe in providing access to quality healthcare to all of our neighbors in Sonoma Valley.

Sonoma Valley is situated in the isolated far southeastern end of Sonoma County, California. It is designated as a Medically Underserved Populations (MUPs) and Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) due to its serious shortage of health care resources. The target population served by SVCHC includes people working in local agriculture, monolingual minorities, have low-income, are uninsured/under-insured (the at-risk and disenfranchised, including the homeless).

Who We Serve

  • Individuals and families who have the economic means and insurance to access care but are otherwise unserved due to the health professional shortage in our area.
  • Local agricultural workers facing continual health disparities and barriers to access.
  • Monolingual immigrant minorities who are often unaware of health care services or have difficulty accessing them because of language and cultural differences.
  • The low-income population, including the elderly, unable to afford services through other Sonoma health care resources.
  • The uninsured and under-insured, at-risk and disenfranchised population as a whole, including the homeless, who traditionally only enter the health care system in times of emergency.

Values

Community:

We acknowledge our vital role within our community, seeking to understand and serve their needs by providing comprehensive health care to all.

Caring and Compassion:

We treat those we serve and one another with kindness and respect in a culturally appropriate manner.

Excellence and Quality:

We are committed to excellence, to quality, and to adding value in every aspect of our work.

Integrity:

We observe the highest ethical standards and are accountable for our actions.

Approach

SVCHC is a patient-centered medical practice focused on the health and wellness of the patients and community we serve. We are committed to being a patient centered medical home (PCMH). PCMH is an innovative, team-based approach to providing health care services. This means your practitioner and their support staff, are part of a team that includes one or more practitioners that are dedicated to comprehensive, personal healthcare centered on you and meeting your medical and non-medical needs.

Your Personal Physician

The relationship between you, your practitioner and the care team is the driving force behind (PCMH). Your practitioner will provide medical care that is right for you based on clinical guidelines shown to improve health.

Your Care Team

Your practitioner will direct the care team to coordinate your care based on your wants and needs. To improve efficiency, the team will plan for your appointment by reviewing your medical chart to check for recent testing and ensure you are notified of results in a timely manner. The care team will work with you and any outside practitioners /facilities to effectively coordinate your healthcare across all specialties.

Your Health

In return, we ask that you continue to be an active partner in your health care. We ask you to take charge of your health by responsibly managing and monitoring aspects of your care. Keep us informed of your medications, visits to specialists, medical history, health status, recent test results, self-care abilities and information from recent hospitalizations, emergency or urgent care visits. Also, you can help by being prepared and by bringing all of your medication bottles to your visit. Follow the care plan your physician has developed for you and let your physician know when you’re unable to. We are here when you need us – just call!

Quality for You

As part of PCHM, we are committed to providing same day appointments and offering expanded hours to meet your needs. We will use our electronic medical record, NextGen, to support the best care, quality and safety by helping us to identify and provide for your needs as well as our entire patient population.

Staff

Senior Management Team

To contact, call 707.939.2370

Cheryl Johnson, Chief Executive Officer
Cecelia Lane, Chief Operating Officer
Glen Gibson, CPA, Chief Financial Officer
William Klas MD, Chief Medical Officer
Brad Yoshioka, DDS, Chief Dental Officer
Alfred McGugin, Director of Continuous Quality Improvement
Alvaro Gonzalez, Director of Development

 

Department Managers

To contact, call 707.939.6070

Diana Peña, Front Office Manager
D.P. Amara, MD, Prenatal Director
Teresa Rodriguez, Clinic Manager

Board of Directors

Charles Zipkin, MD, Board Chair
Emma McCulloch, Vice Chair
Alison ODonnell, Treasurer
Pamela Stephens, Secretary
Robert Elders
Sabina Rafaela Gonzalez
Peter Fitzgerald
Karina Florez
Linda McTaggart
Margaret Bastress
Benjamin Rooks

Click here to view the Board Application

SVCHC receives federal funding under Public Health Services Act, Title III, Section 330, Public Health Services Act, Section 330, 42 U.S.C. 254b, the Affordable Care Act, Section 10503 and the Public Health Service Act, Section 330, 42 U.S.C. 254b, as amended.