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$25,000 Grants Go to 2 Pioneers in Health Care

Posted on: Wednesday, 2 November 2005, 12:00 CST

By , FROM STAFF REPORTS

Two Oakland health care pioneers have each been awarded grants of $25,000 from the California Wellness Foundation.

Sherry M. Hirota, CEO of Asian Health Services in Oakland's Chinatown, and Martin Waukazoo, CEO of the Native American Health Center, were honored for improving the well-being of medically underserved populations.

"These champions have developed innovative programs to not only diversify the health work force but to create whole new models of health care delivery that are responsive to the needs of the community," Gary L. Yates, California Wellness Foundation president and CEO, said in a prepared statement.

Hirota has built the staff at Asian Health Services to 160 employees, nearly all of whom speak at least one language besides English. She is promoting the profession of health care interpreters and has developed programs to improve the health of Asians and Pacific Islanders.

Waukazoo transformed a small Oakland clinic into the largest health provider for urban American Indians in the country, with additional clinics in Sacramento and San Francisco. The Native American Health Center serves tribes and has a project for at-risk youth to encourage them to enter the health professions.

"Health care works best when we have respect for everybody and no one is left behind," Hirota said in a statement.

A third grant recipient is Elia V. Gallardo, director of government affairs and the California Primary Care Association in Sacramento.

Source: Oakland Tribune

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