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SLO Healthcare Workforce Partnership

The SLO Healthcare Workforce Partnership was launched in September 2023 to address the critical shortage of healthcare professionals in physical, behavioral, and oral health in San Luis Obispo County.  This collaborative Partnership is composed of 18 organizations representing healthcare, education, and workforce development. The County of San Luis Obispo, Department of Public Health, is serving as the lead agency to support the launch of the Partnership, with funding provided by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) through 2026. ​

The Goal

The Partnership’s overarching goal is to strengthen and diversify San Luis Obispo County’s healthcare workforce for physical, behavioral, and oral health. It will use data-driven, evidence-based approaches to create a workforce that responds to the emerging health care needs of our community.

Development of the Strategic Action Plan (2024 to 2026)

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The Partnership launched on September 28, 2023 and, over the first six meetings through December 14th, collaboratively developed a 3-year Strategic Action Plan to implement strategies to address the critical shortage of healthcare professionals in San Luis Obispo County. Extensive research was used to inform the planning discussions.  This research included:

  • Results from key community partner interviews. 

  • Data on local labor market forecasts.

  • National and state best practices and examples of model programs in California.

  • Potential funding opportunities.   

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One objective of the planning process was to identify potential funding sources and to be ready to collaboratively apply for funding to support various elements of the Plan in 2024. 

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The Strategic Plan included 4 Strategic Priorities:

  1. Recruitment and Retention of Healthcare Employees

  2. Healthcare Careers Pathway Development

  3. Fund Development & Advocacy

  4. Sustainable Partnership Operations

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The SLO Healthcare Workforce Partnership Strategic Action Plan (2024 to 2026) as of 4.11.24.

Partnership Working Committees

Three working Committees were formed in January 2024 to support the first three Strategic Priorities.  The fourth priority (Sustainable Partnership Operations) will be addressed by the full Partnership membership at their regularly scheduled monthly meetings on the second Thursday of each month.  Each Committee also meets monthly for a working session and has a "Committee Membership Agreement" that details the purpose, membership, goals, objectives, and meeting logistics.   See "Committees" page for more information on each of the three Committees.

The Partnership Members

Public Health

  • ​Dr. Penny Borenstein, Public Health Director, County of SLO Public Health

  • Michelle Shoresman, Division Manager, Health Care Services, County of SLO Public Health

Physical Health

  • ​Julie Fogelson, Chief Nursing Executive, Dignity Health/Common Spirit

  • Marie Avila, Talent Manager, Dignity Health/Common Spirit

  • Sarah Clair, Adventist Health Corporate Office

  • Gary Obreque, HR Director for the Central Coast Region, Adventist Health

  • Brad Groh, Education Director for the Central Coast Region, Adventist Health

  • Jordan Turetsky, Chief Operating Officer, CenCal Health

  • Gilesa Taboada, Provider Relations Manager, CenCal Health

  • Adam Butler, Public Policy Analyst, CenCal Health

  • Jessica Rojas Kalian, Psychiatry Nurse Coordinator, Community Health Centers of the Central Coast (CHCCC)

  • Madisyn Masatani, Talent Acquisition Manager, Community Health Centers of the Central Coast (CHCCC)

  • Elias Guzman, Grant Writer, Community Health Centers of the Central Coast (CHCCC)

  • Patrick Woolbert, Finance Director, Compass Health

  • Sara Diaz, Compass Health

  • Jessica Peckham, Nurse Practitioner, North County

Behavioral Health

  • Frank Warren, Behavioral Health Deputy Director, County of SLO Behavioral Health

  • Kristen Alexander, HR Director, Transitions Mental Health Association (TMHA)

  • Magdalena Serrano, Director of Behavioral Health & Psychiatry Services, Community Health Centers of the Central Coast (CHC)

  • Thomas Buckley, Executive Director, Aspire Counseling Services

Oral Health

  • Barb Morrow, Oral Health Program Manager, County of SLO Public Health

  • Alexandra Chamberlain, Tolosa Children's Dental Center

  • Carolyn Deily, Executive Business Coach, Oral Health, RDA 

Community Health Workers / Promotores (CHW/P)

  • Angel Lopez, Community Health Worker/Promotor Coordinator, Promotores Collaborative of SLO

  • Fernanda Lucas, Program Director, Promotores Collaborative of SLO

  • Lisa Fraser, Executive Director, Center for Family Strengthening (CFS)

  • Patty Herrera, Manager of Community Health, Dignity Health - CA Central Coast CHW Program

Education

  • Terrance Leshae Harris, VP for Strategic Enrollment Management, Cal. Poly. State Univ., SLO

  • Tina Hadaway Mellis, Asst. VP for Student Affairs Health & Wellbeing, Cal. Poly. State Univ., SLO

  • Aydin Nazmi, Faculty, Public Health Nutrition, Epidemiology, Cal. Poly. State Univ., SLO

  • Kristi Weddige, Cal. Poly. State University, SLO

  • Oscar Ramos, Ed.D., Dean of Nursing and Allied Health, Cuesta College

  • Beth Johnson, R.N., MSN, Associate Director for Nursing and Allied Health, Cuesta College

  • Heather Tucker, EMS Program, Cuesta College

  • Cherie Moore, Division Chair, Applied Behavioral Sciences, Cuesta College

  • Michael Specchierla, Executive Director, Innovations of SLO County Office of Education and SLO Partners

  • Jennifer Clayton, Director of Student Relations, SLO Partners/County Office of Education

  • Paul Piette, Director Business Relations, SLO Partners/County Office of Education

  • Jeff Oxendine, Founder & CEO, Health Career Connection

  • Eric Sauers, PhD, Dean & Professor, College for Healthy Communities, A.T. Still University

Workforce Development, Community Services/ Collaborations, & Physician Associations

  • Dawn Boulanger, Administrative Services Manager, County of SLO, Workforce Development Board (WDB)

  • Jeannie Keeling Fantasia, Manager, Market Performance & Operations, Aledade

  • Matt Briskin, Consultant, Healthcare Strategy, The Chartis Group

  • Bob Redlo, Consultant, Bay Area Healthcare Workforce Training

  • Jean Raymond, SLO Health Counts

  • Sally Rogow, CAPSLO

  • Hugo Casteneda, SLO Cal Careers​

Partnership Coordinator and Primary Contact:

Susan McGraw, Consultant

info@SLOHealthcareWorkforce.org

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