Partner Spotlight: Providence

The ​​Healthcare Foundation’s partnership with Providence runs deep. Providence has long supported the Healthcare Foundation’s mission as well as helped to fund specific efforts like the 2021 Community Response Teams initiative. Providence’s Montserrat Archila serves on the Healthcare Foundation’s Board of Directors, and our executive director, Amy Ramirez, came to the organization from Providence as well. 

Most recently, through its generous support of the Healthcare Foundation’s Community Wellness Center (CWC) initiative, Providence has played a crucial role in supporting the development of multicultural community wellness centers in northern Sonoma County by funding facilitated neighborhood convenings to design inclusive, intergenerational spaces promoting health and well-being. 

These efforts, which began in Cloverdale and Windsor and (with support once more from Providence) expanded in 2024 to Healdsburg, involved collaboration with local organizations such as La Familia Sana, Nuestra Comunidad, Alexander Valley Healthcare, Alliance Medical Center, and Corazón Healdsburg to ensure the collective envisioning of the CWCs reflected the unique characteristics and needs of each community.

Through its transformative support, Providence is helping to advance our common goal of fostering community resilience and promoting health equity by creating spaces that empower residents to take charge of their health and well-being.

We recently asked Healdsburg and Petaluma Valley Hospital, Providence, Chief Administrative Officer Michelle Oxford, MBA, FACHE, about this unique partnership and how it aligns with Providence’s priorities for the north county region it serves. Michelle, who graciously responded to our written questions by email, joined the Providence team in May of 2024 as CAO for Petaluma Valley Hospital and Healdsburg Hospital.

What brought you to Providence?

My healthcare career began in Business Development with Catholic Healthcare West, and I later spent a decade at Bakersfield Heart Hospital, serving as president and CEO for seven years. I have a deep passion for hospital operations, service line growth and financial performance within an integrated delivery network. Now I have the honor of being Healdsburg and Petaluma Valley Hospitals’ chief administrative officer. I also provide operational leadership for the Providence Northern California service area which includes Humboldt, Napa and Sonoma County facilities.  

Did you have a prior connection to Sonoma County?

My connection to Sonoma County runs deep—my sister and her family moved here nearly two decades ago, and over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of visiting and growing fond of this incredible community.

“We are proud to partner with the Healthcare Foundation, Corazón Healdsburg and Alliance Medical Center to develop wellness centers that directly address our community’s most pressing healthcare needs. By working alongside our underserved residents, we are co-creating spaces where everyone has the opportunity to feel supported, cared for and empowered to thrive.”

Michelle Oxford

How does Healdsburg Hospital fit into the system of care you work in?

Healdsburg Hospital is a cornerstone of this community, providing 24/7 emergency care and continuously expanding services like orthopedic care and general surgery to better meet local needs. I’m honored to be part of a hospital that prioritizes excellence in patient care and truly puts the well-being of our community first. We also work in close partnership with our sister hospitals—Petaluma Valley Hospital and Providence Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital—to support the health and well-being of Sonoma County. By collaborating across our network, we ensure patients have seamless access to high-quality care, from emergency services to specialized treatments.

Together, we are dedicated to expanding healthcare access, addressing local health priorities, and providing compassionate, comprehensive care for all who call Sonoma County home.

What do you see as the biggest challenges around health and wellbeing for Healdsburg and the region and how is Providence responding?

We remain deeply focused on the significant healthcare challenges facing Healdsburg and the surrounding region—especially for our most vulnerable populations. In 2023, we completed our triennial Community Health Needs Assessment, which shaped our 2024 plan to address key priorities: improving access to health and dental care, expanding mental health and substance use disorder services, supporting those experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity, and enhancing programs for our aging population. We are also committed to approaching these priorities with a lens of equity, recognizing the impact of racism and discrimination on health outcomes.

Beyond the hospital walls, we actively provide direct services in the community, including our mobile health clinic, which serves patients at Calvary Chapel River Fellowship in Windsor every Tuesday. We also invest in partnerships to strengthen local healthcare infrastructure—for example, funding Alliance Medical Center’s mobile vision clinic and expanding their dental services in Windsor, as well as supporting Alexander Valley Healthcare’s expansion of Spanish-language mental health services.

You recently participated in one of the Healdsburg CWC community listening sessions. What was your impression, and what is the importance of this initiative for Providence?

First, I want to express my gratitude for such a thoughtfully managed listening session. The engagement and care put into these conversations are truly inspiring and essential to shaping meaningful community health initiatives.

In 2023, our Community Health team awarded a $285,000 grant to the Healthcare Foundation to support the Healdsburg Community Wellness Center. This multicultural space will be dedicated to fostering health and well-being in Healdsburg. Building on the success of our community wellness center in Windsor—designed to support the needs of our Latinx community—this initiative is rooted in community engagement and co-creation.

We are proud to partner with the Healthcare Foundation, Corazón Healdsburg and Alliance Medical Center to develop wellness centers that directly address our community’s most pressing healthcare needs. By working alongside our underserved residents, we are co-creating spaces where everyone has the opportunity to feel supported, cared for and empowered to thrive.

How do you describe the relationship between Providence and the Healthcare Foundation?

We view the Healthcare Foundation as a vital partner in our shared mission to serve the most vulnerable members of our community. For several years, their leadership team has been actively engaged in our Community Benefit Committee, working alongside us to identify and address local healthcare needs. 

Together, we strategically align our efforts to maximize resources and expand access to care. Through this collaboration, we’re able to provide more comprehensive support for Sonoma County residents—extending our impact far beyond the walls of our hospital and into the heart of the community.