Placer Collaborative Meets to Address Health Care

Nearly 50 people gathered in Auburn on Thursday, November 4 to discuss access to healthcare issues in Placer County.  The Placer Collaborative Network (PCN) hosted the day-long meeting of leaders from county and city government, community-based organizations, healthcare providers and the faith community.  The conversation was facilitated by Dale Ainsworth and Chris Aguirre from Valley Vision and sponsored by Sutter Health and Kaiser Permanente.

Participants brainstormed solutions to improve access to healthcare in Placer County.  It was estimated over 30,000 residents have no health insurance and another 20,000 residents are underinsured.  A panel discussion regarding the new healthcare reform legislation was moderated by Carol Serre, from Kaiser Permanente and included Pat Brady, CEO for Sutter Roseville Medical Center and Scott Hauge, Small Business California.

A working group was created to continue the work of the larger group.  “Access to healthcare is a serious concern in our community,” said Holly Harper, Community Benefits, Sutter Health Sacramento Sierra Region.  “We are working together to build a continuum of care.  This meeting was a phenomenal and important start.”   

Additionally, Placer Collaborative Network awarded the Outstanding Collaboration Award.  This year’s recipient was the Latino Leadership Council (LLC).  LLC is a nonprofit organization comprised of more than 50 Latino professionals who provide a multitude of services to the underserved Spanish-speaking populations.  “They’ve partnered with many organizations to improve the health of hundreds of people in the Latino community, through health screenings, immunizations, educational, fitness and social events,” said Janice LeRoux, First Five Placer and PCN Co-Chair. 

LLC Board President Sonia Samaniego and Board Members Edwina Pereles-Agront and Ixel Morell accepted the award on behalf of the LLC. Samaniego noted that it is only through their partnerships with existing organizations that they have been so successful. “We work with agencies and organizations to fill service gaps faced by Latino communities,” she stated.  “We find ways to help them achieve cultural proficiency while helping build the skills of the communities they serve.”

About Placer Collaborative Network

Placer Collaborative Network (PCN) brings community leaders together to develop creative solutions for challenges and unmet needs within western Placer.  Results include a variety of initiatives in which business practices are changed to bring about a better quality of life for those living in Placer County.  Over 40 members comprise the army of service providers at Placer Collaborative Network. Through on-the-ground projects, leadership development, and networking, solutions are forged for our most pressing community issues.  For more information visit www.placercollaborativenetwork.org. Placer Collaborative Network is a project of the Placer Community Foundation.

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