The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on our health care delivery systems, in particular the safety net. California’s community health centers were already experiencing financial challenges prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet they adapted their operations and care to meet the moment, reinforcing their role as the backbone of the safety net and a key partner in addressing health equity. California Health Care Foundation, in partnership with the California Primary Care Association and CCALAC, issued a series of reports that examine the financial and operational challenges faced by California’s community health centers, how they adapted operations and care during the pandemic, and the policy changes that are needed to ensure their long term stability and sustainability. In this webinar, attendees will learn more about the reports’ key findings and discuss how to stabilize health centers so they can continue to meet ever-growing community needs.

Speakers:

Allison Coleman, MBA, CEO, Capital Link

Carlina Hansen, MS, Senior Program Officer, Improving Access, California Health Care Foundation

Louise McCarthy, MPP, President & CEO, Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County

Rakesh Patel, MD, MBA, FAAFP, CPE, CEO, Neighborhood Healthcare

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Speaker biographies:

Allison Coleman

Allison Coleman is the CEO of Capital Link, a nonprofit organization that assists Federally Qualified Health Centers with capital development, growth planning and performance improvement on a national basis. She also serves as CEO of Community Health Center Capital Fund, Capital Link’s CDFI lending affiliate, which offers New Markets Tax Credit financing and direct loans for health centers nationally.

Carlina Hansen

Carlina is a senior program officer for CHCF’s Improving Access team, which works to improve access to coverage and care for Californians with low incomes. Prior to joining the team at CHCF, Carlina worked at the Women’s Community Clinic in San Francisco, where she served as the executive director for 17 years. Prior to her work at the clinic, she was a senior program coordinator at the Tides Center, a fiscal sponsor and nonprofit incubator. She serves on the boards of the San Francisco Community Clinic Consortium and the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Organization.

Louise McCarthy

Louise McCarthy is the President & CEO of the Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County (CCALAC), where she represents the interests of LA area Community Clinics and Health Centers, and those they serve. Prior to taking this role, she served as CCALAC’s Vice President of Governmental Affairs for three years. Before joining CCALAC, Louise was the Assistant Director of Policy for the California Primary Care Association, where she worked on state legislative, regulatory and administrative issues impacting California’s community clinics and health centers.

Rakesh Patel

Rakesh Patel, M.D., has been with Neighborhood Healthcare for over 15 years as a staff family physician, Medical Director of Operations, and current CEO. Throughout his tenure, Dr. Patel has worked to successfully bridge gaps between operational and clinical staff. He has been integral in improving care delivery and ensuring high clinical quality scores across the organization. Dr. Patel is a CPCA board member and CMA delegate and serves as the East County Region Director on the San Diego County Medical Society Board.