Page 3 - 2020 AR

Message from the President & CEO

On behalf of the Community Health Association Inland Southern Region, I am honored to present the As-
sociation’s 2020 Annual Report. This year showed us unprecedented
tragedy and sorrow with the lives lost to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020 presented us with hardships and challenges unlike any we had
seen before. With the COVID-19 pandemic our membership, our part-
ners, and our safety net communities were tested and pushed to inno-
vate and adapt as our world changed forever. We could not be more
proud of the leadership, collaboration, and resilience our member or-
ganizations have shown throughout the pandemic and the quality
care they have provided to our most affected communities.

Once again in 2020, there were many health care policy challenges that threatened access to health
care in the region. The Association’s member health centers added new clinical sites which increased
access to health care in the safety-net. Our members remain committed to being accessible, afforda-
ble, and providing high-quality services, despite the challenges brought on by the pandemic. Their dedi-
cation to caring for at-risk and vulnerable populations is laudable.

One strength of our organization is the provision of advocacy. Advocating for health center funding and
reimbursement for telehealth services was at the top of our priority list. Strengthening the workforce is an-
other priority for our organization. During the pandemic, the entire healthcare sector struggled with re-
cruitment and retention for all levels of staff. We also greatly expanded our emergency management
focus and provided support and advocacy to the membership throughout the pandemic, acting as a
PPE command center. We completed our first year of a medical assistant upskilling program for medical
assistants working at our member health centers. As the Inland Empire Area Health Education Center, we
greatly expanded our relationships with local colleges and universities, facilitated multiple learning col-
laboratives and became the first CA AHEC to have an estab-
Our Team lished curriculum with a University Medical School!

With sincere gratitude I would like to thank our amazingly
Jodie Wingo, MHA talented team for all of their hard work, support, and dedi-
President & CEO cation. I would like to thank our funders, Board of Directors,
interns, and all of our partners for collaborating with us
Sendy Sanchez, MPH throughout the year. It truly was a team effort.
Director of Policy and Projects
If 2020 has taught us anything, it is that collaboration and
Athena Montiel, MPH teamwork are indispensable in healthcare. Our biggest
Project Manager source of pride from 2020 is the coming together of our
members and community partners to help each other and
Briana Eason, MPH our communities make it through the pandemic. We look
Project Manager forward to continuing to grow and thrive with you all in 2021!

Jacqueline Perez, BS In Partnership,
Program Coordinator

Janet Gonzalez, BS
Program Coordinator Jodie Wingo, MHA
President & Chief Executive Officer
Saul Castrejon, BS
Program Coordinator

Community Focused Membership Driven

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