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How is the Healthcare Foundation meeting the moment?

Dear Friends,

Nearly 25 years ago, the Healthcare Foundation was created to save our local hospital and protect access to acute care. Thanks to the vision and dedication of this community, that hospital is now part of Providence Health, ensuring those services remain here when we need them most.

But healthcare doesn’t start in a hospital. It starts in our homes, schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods. And since 80% of health outcomes are shaped by social, economic, and environmental factors, our work has evolved from responding to crisis to preventing it—supporting well-being before emergencies happen.

We listen to data and to our community. Today, that data shows behavioral health is the leading cause of avoidable emergency room visits, while bilingual and bicultural providers remain in short supply—especially in northern Sonoma County. Our response: launching the Mental Health Talent Pipeline and funding free bilingual behavioral health services for families and seniors in communities like Healdsburg and Cloverdale.

We’re also responding to the needs of a rapidly growing senior population through programs that reduce isolation and improve transportation and access to care. And because belonging is directly tied to health outcomes, we continue to invest in spaces and programs where communities feel seen, safe, and connected.

At a time when many in our Latine community are experiencing fear and when division feels louder than unity, this work matters more than ever. Health and belonging go hand in hand, and our role is to bring partners together to build solutions that serve everyone.

That’s what the Healthcare Foundation does best. We act as an incubator—identifying needs, bringing partners together, funding solutions, and saying yes to collaboration.

In this newsletter, you’ll meet Apolinar, the newest student in our Mental Health Talent Pipeline Program, whose journey represents exactly why this work matters and how we are building the next generation of local providers.

Because when we invest in people and partnerships, we build a healthier future for all of northern Sonoma County.

With gratitude,

Amy Ramirez
Executive Director

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Mental Health Talent Pipeline Spotlight: Meet Apolinar Vega

In fall 2025, Apolinar Vega began the master’s program in Counseling Psychology at USF Santa Rosa, supported by one of three scholarships awarded in 2025 through the Healthcare Foundation’s Mental Health Talent Pipeline. Born and raised in Sonoma County, Apolinar is the first in his family to pursue higher education—a milestone made even more meaningful given the significant challenges he faced growing up in a community impacted by underemployment, gang violence, substance use, and high crime rates.

With the guidance of dedicated mentors, counselors, and therapists, Apolinar was able to navigate those early obstacles and channel his experiences into a deep commitment to serving others. Today, he is pursuing a career in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) with the goal of giving back to the northern Sonoma County community that shaped him.

In the following conversation, Apolinar reflects on his journey, the impact of the USF program, his work with at-risk youth, and the mentors who inspired him to pursue this path.

How has growing up in northern Sonoma County shaped you?

It’s given me a deep personal understanding of the communities here. Growing up, I witnessed both the strength of ordinary people and the challenges they can face, particularly in terms of emotional wellbeing and support. Being from Sonoma County has built a long-term connection that has shaped my desire to serve the community.

What drew you to your career path in counseling psychology?

My interest in counseling psychology developed, first of all, through my own experience—learning to recognize things like past trauma and behavioral patterns, and healing from them through therapy and self-reflection. Something valuable I learned along the way is that this healing doesn’t erase the past but it gives you a better understanding of yourself. It gave me more accountability and helped me develop healthier ways of coping with my past trauma and behavior patterns. I believe it was that realization that made me pursue this profession in counseling psychology. It has allowed me to support myself in my own personal growth but it also allows me to support others.

Read the Full Article (4 min read)

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SOLD OUT

Healthcare Is Love – Drag Brunch is a live benefit event in support of our work year-round to advance health and well-being across northern Sonoma County. The joyful and lively gathering, hosted by THTR Productions, blends camaraderie and fabulous entertainment with the Healthcare Foundation’s mission to improve local access to quality healthcare for all. We look forward to celebrating with the community!

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

Pink Pony Club

Lauren Ratiani Ruark
and Jamin Ruark

Cher’s Lair

Mona Hanes and Kevin Gay
Donna and Eddie Merideth

Jenny Wilson

Culture Club

Adelante Partners
Ingrid Maltrud
On The Margins Family Therapy & Psychologist Services
Katie Rosson and Gibson Scheid
The SCAN Foundation
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church