Spring Newsletter
Congressman Jared Huffman secures funding for the AVH Health & Wellness Center!
The House Appropriations Committee released language for a Fiscal Year 2024 minibus which included $500,000 for the Alexander Valley Health and Wellness Center construction project.
“I am deeply grateful to Congressman Huffman for his ongoing support and his work to secure this funding towards the construction of our new Alexander Valley Health and Wellness Center in Cloverdale. The new facility will enable us to expand our FQHC’s existing medical, dental, and behavioral health services, and provide increased access to urgent care and specialty services previously unavailable to this community. This project will transform healthcare in Northern Sonoma County.”
Deborah Howell, CEO
More information on the overall funding package can be found here.
AVH in the Community
Alexander Valley Healthcare is proud to partner with the Healthcare Foundation of Northern Sonoma County, La Familia Sana, Nuestra Comunidad, On the Margins, Sonoma County’s Council on Aging, and the Cloverdale Senior Multipurpose Center in a new initiative to learn from our local low-income seniors about their challenges to health and wellbeing. More information can be found here.
PROGRAM UPDATES
AVH has been selected as a member of the first cohort for the DHCS (Department of Healthcare Services) Population Health Equity and Practice Transformation Program (EPT). EPT is a five-year, primary care practice transformation program that aims to advance health equity and address COVID-19-driven care disparities, improving and enhancing the health and wellness of Medi-Cal enrollees. Participation in this program will help AVH to better serve our community and align with the goals of the DHCS Comprehensive Quality Strategy and Equity Roadmap
MEET OUR PROVIDERS
Dr. Jing Zhao, Chief Medical Officer
Born and raised in China, Dr. Zhao’s journey into medicine began as a young child. A visit to a hospital, crowded with people and lacking enough doctors, left an indelible mark on her. Determined to make a difference, she vowed to help others find access healthcare when she grew up.
After graduating from Dalian Medical University, Dr. Zhao’s medical journey in China led her to specialize in organizational injuries and then took her to Japan for cancer research.
Fascinated by Japan’s society and cost-effective health access, Dr. Zhao became curious about the U.S. healthcare system. She completed her residency at NYU and spent two years at Cornell as a hospitalist.
Dr. Zhao and her husband then moved to Northern California, where she spent 13 years as a physician with Kaiser until the care needs of her in-laws took them to Southern California. While in Los Angeles she spent three years with UCLA Health as a faculty member teaching students, residents, and primary care physicians.
Returning to the Bay Area in 2018, Dr. Zhao began to focus on the pressing needs of Community Health Centers, first joining NE Medical Services in San Francisco as the Medical Director, then Harmony Health in Sacramento as CMO, Dr. Zhao embraced the challenges and rewards of caring for our underserved communities.
At Alexander Valley Healthcare, Dr. Jing Zhao hopes to expand our practice, bring in specialists, and enhance patient care. In addition to her administrative role, Dr. Zhao continues to care for patients and looks forward to getting to know the community. As a compassionate leader, she sees the potential to bring a holistic healthcare approach to ensure the overall well-being of our patients. Dr. Zhao’s journey, marked by resilience and lifelong learning, is now intertwined with the narrative of Alexander Valley Healthcare’s commitment to growth and a healthy future. Welcome to AVH. Dr. Zhao!
Dr. Jo Ann Rosenfeld, Primary Care
Dr. Rosenfeld has recently joined our Medical practice. She will be caring for patients two days a week Thursdays and Fridays, seeing prenatal and chronic pain patients.
Dr. Rosenfeld received her medical degree from Johns Hopkins University and spent her early years in practice in Cleveland and out in the rural areas of Appalachia. She has a passion for serving rural patients who rely on a broader level of care from their doctors because they must travel too far to see specialists. Dr. Rosenfeld also served the community of San Andreas, California, and is currently a primary care provider for Dr. Robert Rushton in Ukiah, and the Medical Director for Hospice of Ukiah. Dr. Rosenfeld studied under Dr. Vu Tran, a Pulmonologist at Sutter Santa Rosa, where she learned about the importance of normalizing pain management. She is looking forward to working with AVH patients to create a sensible long-term plan for managing their chronic pain. Welcome to AVH Dr. Rosenfeld!
Welcome to the new Board Chair!
We are thrilled to announce that Erika Spencer-Singson has assumed the role of Board of Directors Chair, succeeding James Berry. Erika’s dedication and fresh perspective inject new energy into our Board of Directors. Erika, a classically trained chef, lives in Cloverdale with her two young children and works at Kelley & Young, Her commitment to our work is evident in her vision for AVH: “Easier access to care for all, creating a healthy, flourishing community.” We extend our appreciation to James for his invaluable service on the Board and ongoing involvement and warmly welcome Erika as she steps into this leadership role.