Sutter in Your Community
Sutter Medical Center of Santa Rosa has a proud legacy of giving back to the community. Our community benefit programs have been a living reflection of our not-for-profit mission and have significantly impacted the good health and well-being of Sonoma County.
In 2001, Sutter Medical Center and Sutter Warrack Hospital participated in a collaborative community health needs assessment. The assessment was conducted in order to help health care providers establish priorities for the development of vital community benefit programs for the next three years. This was sponsored by the Health Care Leadership Council, which is comprised of all local hospitals, health districts, Health Plan of the Redwoods and the Department of Health Services.
"One important outcome of the assessment process was the realization that by working together the health care community can make a significant impact in addressing important community issues," said Penny Vanderwolk, community benefit manager for Sutter Medical Center of Santa Rosa.
Vanderwolk also says that Sutter Medical Center is proud to be working with many community partners to develop a project designed to provide mentoring and support for young people, particularly in minority groups, interested in pursuing health careers. Our community partners include other health care providers and representatives from the education system and community based organizations.
Through this exciting collaboration we are able to address three very critical community issues: teen mental health, workforce development, and the critical shortage of health professionals.