Message from the CEO • New Building Update • Patient Story • OLE Health Documentary • OLE Takes Action
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A MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO
Hereos of Community Health
Dear Friends,
Thank you for your continued support of OLE Health! For the past 46 years our organization has changed the lives of
thousands of residents in our community who have walked through our doors in search of better physical, mental and
oral health. Through our powerful community partnerships and the work of our amazing staff, we look to continue that
legacy for the next 46 years and beyond.
At OLE Health we believe that high quality healthcare empowers families and provides a platform for success in the
communities we serve – a credo developed by our founders that still holds true today. That is why it is our mission to
provide care for anyone who walks through our doors, regardless of their life circumstances. No one who visits an OLE
Health center is ever turned away.
When I stepped into the role of Chief Executive Officer in January, I knew there were challenges on the horizon. Threats
to our funding at the state and national levels as well as partisan politics in Washington D.C. continue to weigh heavily on
our community. OLE Health is on the frontlines of some of our country’s biggest issues, including the seemingly never-
ending fight for affordable healthcare, and the struggle to protect the health rights of children, older adults, and our
undocumented and migrant worker patients who represent the backbone of our local economy.
Despite these challenges, we remain dedicated. The stakes are too high for too many in our communities. We will
continue to serve where we are needed, and fight for those who need us. To that end, I am proud that OLE Health COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS
are often the first point of contact into the health This team-based care approach helped build a
medical and behavioral health providers were first responders during this year’s devastating North Bay Wildfires. Our staff
system for many patients across the country. 2-year long relationship with our specialist who
voluntarily dispatched themselves to local evacuation shelters to provide care for victims in need – a true testament of
Underserved populations from all over Napa County connected the patient with a psychiatrist and
our commitment to the communities we serve. We also celebrate the construction and anticipated opening of our
rely on OLE Health for care and often come in with vocational rehab services. The patient now has a job
brand new 32,000 square-foot health center in South Napa and look forward to opening our doors for patients in early
symptoms requiring a team-based approach to keep coach, takes all their medication and has improved
2019.
the patient healthy. their relationship skills.
With each day that passes we lay the groundwork both literally and figuratively for everyone in Napa County to receive
Such was the case in early 2018 when OLE Health The patient also now enjoys fishing for relaxation.
high-quality healthcare in a beautiful, dignified and patient-centered setting. The new building was specifically designed
physician Dr. Jennifer Wilson (pictured left) met with They have a working part-time job with a plan to
to meet the unique needs of the community and is the culmination of the hard work of our staff, community partners and
one patient suffering from multiple behavioral health move to a full-time role, meaning the patient will no
generous donors throughout our region.
systems including depression and schitzophrenia. longer have to utilize social security benefits since
they will now be able to utilize the benefits through
I remain excited and hopeful for what’s ahead. If the past 46 years are any indication of the future, OLE Health will
"The patient was hearing voices" says Dr. Wilson, or their employer.
continue to plant its deep roots in this community and protect the health and wellness of those who call Napa County
"Dr. Jen", as her patients and colleagues lovingly call
their home.
her. "The patient was having a hard time functioning, These relationships happen often here at OLE
he would become violent, and unable to work, he Health; they develop when we see patients in our
Thank you for all your support.
was having relationship trouble, just having a really clinic, or when we dispatched our physicians to local
hard time overall." says Dr. Wilson. "So i made sure to evacuation shelters during the North Bay Fires, they
Warmly,
refer him to our behavioral health team downstairs." even happen when we host our monthly free fruit
and veggie drive. One thing remains for sure: OLE
By virtue of OLE Health's integrated model of care, Health is committed to providing the services our
Dr. Wilson was able to immediately connect the community needs, when and where they need
patient directly with an in-house behavioral health them - all under one roof.
specialist, which ensures that the patient actually
Alicia Hardy
receives the treatment they need immediately, and in (Note: OLE Health Provider Natalie Galante, FNP is
Chief Executive Officer at OLE Health this scenario, known as a "warm-handoff." pictured on the right.)
,
OLE HEALTH TAKES ACTION
OLE Health takes a proactive approach to issues that impact our
patients and community. Given the uncertainty of the direction
of the Affordable Healthcare Act (ACA) which provided health
insurance for thousands of families across Napa County, OLE Health
has been working directly with legislators to discuss solutions and
strategy to protect patient health.
OLE Health CEO meets with members of Congress in D.C.
In March of 2018, OLE Health CEO Alicia Hardy met with federal
legislators (top photo) in Washington D.C. including Congressman
Mike Thompson (CA-5) and Congressman John Garamendi (CA-3)
to discuss legislation moving through Congress that directly impacts
the work of community health centers like OLE Health, including
funding for programs like Medicaid and Public Health Workforce
initiatives.
Directed by Will Agee Other topics important to OLE Health included immigration policy
and the adverse health effects caused by anti-immigration rhetoric
in immigrant communities. Many families throughout our service
area have expressed a real fear of receiving public services including Congressman Garamendi visits OLE Health in Fairfield
healthcare due to fear of deportation or "entering the system",
which consquently results in cancelling regular health appointments
for potentially life-saving services at OLE.
the growth of OLE throughout the years and the unique challenges we and emergency care to residents at local evacuation shelters
overcame to become Napa County's largest Federally Qualified Health throughout Napa County. Our efforts were featured in Forbes
Center. Magazine which highlighted OLE Health's rapid response time and
well-coordinated emergency planning.
VISIT THEOLEHEALTHSTORY.COM TO VIEW TODAY! OLE Staff provide care at Crosswalks Community Center
ONLY 20 MINUTES LONG! which was used as an evacuation site during the fires.
OLE HEALTH FOUNDATION
1100 TRANCAS STREET, SUITE 300
NAPA, CA 94558
Pharf
You can also choose where and how your gift can be
utilized. Fill out the donor form inside this newsletter or
contact Brenda Pedroza at bpedroza@olehealth.org /
707.603.7114.