August 1, 2023

FORT BRAGG, CA — Mendocino and Lake County residents now have a unique opportunity to pursue a world-class nursing education, thanks to a new collaboration between Pacific Union College (PUC), Adventist Health Mendocino Coast, and the Mendocino Coast Healthcare Foundation (MCHFoundation).

PUC has reserved 18 seats in their incoming RN class specifically for local applicants, with no lottery system. Qualified employees from Adventist Health Mendocino Coast will be considered first for the openings, with any remaining slots opened to interested candidates from the Mendocino and Lake County regions. The board approved, hybrid nursing program is ideal for working adults looking to advance their career without sacrificing their current job or income.

Through its innovative RN Student Support Fund, MCHFoundation aims to offer generous financial assistance to each of the 18 accepted students to help offset the cost of travel, books, childcare, and other education-related expenses. To date, the fund has helped six nursing students afford to complete their degree—four of whom remained on the coast to begin their career after graduation.

“There is a critical need for these funds, especially for students from Mendocino and Lake County,” says Mary Kate McKenna, CFRE, Executive Director of MCHFoundation. “Tuition for nursing school is extremely costly, and when you factor in expenses like gas for the drive to campus and childcare during class time, it can be enough to make talented, qualified students reconsider.”

The cost to support the cohort of 18 students throughout the entirety of their program, which begins this September, is $650,000—or $50,000 per semester. MCHFoundation is seeking philanthropic partners to invest in this important collaboration and innovative solution to the nursing shortage on the Mendocino Coast. The goal is to secure the funding by August, so that students can receive the exciting news about their scholarship in acceptance letters.

The RN Student Support Fund is one component of MCHFoundation’s broader All In For Nurses initiative—which increases access to education, eliminates financial barriers, and recognizes the hard work and dedication of our local healthcare heroes.

“This collaboration is the first of its kind in the country, and an opportunity for our neighbors to step up for the men and women who are keeping our beloved coastal communities healthy and thriving,” says Mary Kate. “Years ago, when Mendocino College needed funding to complete its Physiology Lab—the space that would support a mandatory nursing pre-requisite course—our MCHFoundation donors helped to close the gap and make it happen. I am hopeful that together, we can do it again today for these 18 deserving future nurses.”

To make a gift to the RN Student Support Fund, or to learn more about how MCHFoundation is All In For Nurses, please reach out to Mary Tinder, Community Engagement Manager, at [email protected] or 707-961-4924.

Mendocino Coast Healthcare Foundation (MCHFoundation), located in Fort Bragg, is a non-profit with a mission to support the health and wellness of the Mendocino Coast communities. MCHFoundation provides a path for community investment in the health and wellness of our coastal region.

If you are interested in learning more or would like to support our work by contributing or becoming a volunteer, please visit MCHFoundation.org or contact our team at [email protected] or 707-961-4688.

Please note MCHFoundation’s new address: 130 N. Main Street, Fort Bragg, CA 95437

June 1, 2023

FORT BRAGG, CA— Mendocino Coast Healthcare Foundation (MCHFoundation) is excited to announce six awardees of the third annual All In For Nurses INSPIRE Scholarships.

This unique scholarship addresses the caregiver shortage on the Mendocino Coast by supporting the next generation of healthcare professionals. Specifically, INSPIRE provides financial aid for coastal high school seniors pursuing college degrees dedicated to community health and wellness. The Scholarship Committee selects up to six students annually to receive $1,500 and up to two $20,000 INSPIRE+ awardees ($5,000 renewable installments over four years).

Thanks to the generosity of local donors, MCHFoundation has awarded $80,000 in scholarships to 16 students to date. In addition to pursuing careers in the field of health care, student awardees have expressed an explicit desire to return to the coast and apply their education to advance the wellness of our community.

To learn more about the INSPIRE Scholarship and other financial assistance provided to aspiring medical professionals by MCHFoundation’s All In For Nurses Initiative, please reach out to Mary Tinder, Community Engagement Manager, at [email protected] or 707-961-4924.

Located in Fort Bragg, California, Mendocino Coast Healthcare Foundation (MCHFoundation) provides a path for vital community investment through supporting the health and wellness of our Mendocino Coast communities.

Mendocino Coast Healthcare Foundation is a 501(c)(3) private foundation.

If you are interested in learning more or would like to support our work by contributing or becoming a volunteer, please visit MCHFoundation.org or contact our team at [email protected] or 707-961-4688.

January 25, 2023

FORT BRAGG, CA — The Mendocino Coast Healthcare Foundation (MCHFoundation) is partnering with the Fort Bragg Police Department and local psychologist, Dr. Kianna Zielesch, to implement Public Safety Mind Health, a new Trauma Counseling Program for all police department employees.

This program, funded by a grant from MCHFoundation, is a giant step forward in helping to eliminate the stigma around mental health, which is especially prevalent in the public safety profession. The funding will connect each police department staff member with Dr. Zielesch, who specializes in first responder trauma, for two private Mind Health Checkups per year—one every six months.

“The checkup just makes sure everything is going well and provides the opportunity for staff to see a therapist without requiring them to call, which can be difficult,” said Neil Cervenka, Fort Bragg Chief of Police. “A key component of this program is confidentiality as a way of defeating the stigma of mental health in my profession.”

The program is the first of its kind on the Mendocino Coast. The goal is to increase career longevity, and—most importantly—reduce police suicide. At the end of the year, participants will be asked to fill out a brief, anonymous survey, giving them an opportunity to reflect on the impact of their checkups.

MCHFoundation is proud to step up in support of this important initiative. “Our work revolves around the goal of creating a healthier Mendocino Coast, and I can’t think of a better way to do that than by taking care of the dedicated men and women keeping us safe,” said Mary Kate McKenna, CFRE, MCHFoundation Executive Director. “Our generous donors help make grants like this possible. It is their ongoing support of our Immediate Needs Fund that enables MCHFoundation to act quickly and offer resources where needed most.”

Employees will begin their Mind Health Checkups early this year. Should it be determined that a staff member requires additional sessions beyond the two that are covered, his or her insurance will take effect. If the pilot program proves successful, it could be rolled out on a broader scale for other city staff and public safety roles.

To learn more or discuss partnership opportunities, please reach out to Mary Kate McKenna, CFRE, Executive Director, at [email protected].

Mendocino Coast Healthcare Foundation (MCHFoundation), located in Fort Bragg, is a non-profit with a mission to support the health and wellness of the Mendocino Coast communities. MCHFoundation provides a path for community investment in the health and wellness of our coastal region.

If you are interested in learning more or would like to support our work by contributing or becoming a volunteer, please visit MCHFoundation.org or contact our team at [email protected] or 707-961-4688.

Please note MCHFoundation’s new address: 130 N. Main Street, Fort Bragg, CA 95437

December 8, 2022

FORT BRAGG, CA — The Mendocino Coast Healthcare Foundation (MCHFoundation) is pleased to announce a $150,000 charitable contribution from a local family foundation—with $50,000 directed to helping recruit and retain coastal caregivers through All In For Nurses, and $100,000 for advanced MRI technology.

MCHFoundation and its donors are committed to improving health care on the Mendocino Coast, and transformational major gifts are critical to help solve urgent, multi-faceted issues like the local nursing shortage. While annual donors help MCHFoundation respond to urgent community needs, major gift investments catalyze programs and resources that support the long-term success of coastal caregivers and students.

“MCHFoundation and our Board of Directors wants to extend our deepest gratitude to this local family foundation,” says Mary Kate McKenna, CFRE, Executive Director of MCHFoundation. “Gifts like these are not only transformative financially to the Mendocino Coast, but also a powerful invitation and inspiration to other supporters.”

This generous donation will help All In For Nurses provide diverse funding for scholarship awards, recurring financial support for students, appreciation events for existing caregivers, educational partnerships like the CNA Collaborative with Adventist Health Mendocino Coast and other organizations, and more. As this movement gains momentum, our community has successfully graduated 15 new nurses, enrolled more than 25 in CNA training, and provided financial support to countless aspiring caregivers and dedicated nurses.

The gift will also help address the significant need for an advanced MRI machine at Adventist Health Mendocino Coast. In recent years, donors have helped the hospital to invest in local imaging, including 3D mammography and new ultrasound machines.

To learn more about All In For Nurses, the Advanced Imaging Initiative or to discuss partnership possibilities through major and planned giving, please reach out to Mary Kate McKenna, CFRE, Executive Director, at [email protected].

Mendocino Coast Healthcare Foundation (MCHFoundation), located in Fort Bragg, is a non-profit with a mission to support the health and wellness of the Mendocino Coast communities. MCHFoundation provides a path for community investment in the health and wellness of our coastal region.

If you are interested in learning more or would like to support our work by contributing or becoming a volunteer, please visit MCHFoundation.org or contact our team at [email protected] or 707-961-4688.

Please note MCHFoundation’s new address: 130 N. Main Street, Fort Bragg, CA 95437

October 25, 2022

FORT BRAGG, CA — The Mendocino Coast Healthcare Foundation (MCHFoundation) is proud to announce the winners of the 2022 Charlene McAllister Excellence in Nursing Award:

• Emily Anthony, BSN, ICU, Critical Care Registered Nurse, BSN, of Adventist Health Mendocino Coast
• Chama Rasheed, Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) and Medical Records Manager, of Sherwood Oaks Post Acute Care

Chama Rasheed, CNA at Sherwood Oaks, receives 2022 Excellence in Nursing award from Charlene McAllister.

Now in its second year, this award ceremony recognizes and promotes the exemplary dedication of nurses on the Mendocino Coast—caregivers who work to positively impact patient outcomes and experience, serve as role models for their peers, and embody nursing ethics in their work.

The Award Committee carefully considered eight nominations from Mendocino Coast Clinics, Adventist Health Mendocino Coast, and Sherwood Oaks Post Acute Care. In addition to the two winners, the 2022 nominees are:

• Jenna Breton, Certified Nurse Midwife, Nurse Practitioner, Mendocino Coast Clinics
• Jennifer Salyer, Registered Nurse and Diabetes Educator, Mendocino Coast Clinics
• Kei Velasquez, Nurse Practitioner, Mendocino Coast Clinics
• Mark Bellm, RN, Director of Nursing, Sherwood Oaks Post Acute Care
• Tony Flores, Certified Nursing Assistant, Sherwood Oaks Post Acute Care
• Jessica Bowles, Charge Nurse, Director of Staff Development, Sherwood Oaks Post Acute Care

These six nominees will receive a certificate of excellence, along with a gift certificate in recognition of their tremendous commitment to health and wellness.

MCHFoundation was pleased to select both Emily and Chama as winners this year, thanks to generous program support from donors in the coastal community. Each awardee will receive $5,000 at a special ceremony in October.

About Emily Anthony
Emily Anthony is a full-time critical care nurse at Adventist Health Mendocino Coast, with more than 23 years of nursing care and leadership experience. Though she possesses many strengths, her nominator—Kelly Hendricks, RN, BSN, Director of Inpatient Care at Adventist Health Mendocino Coast —says she is truly passionate about providing patient-centered care for the coastal community. Emily listens with a careful ear to all patients and always advocates for their needs and requests.

Emily has also established herself as a trusted resource among her peers at Adventist Health and within the wider community. She mentors new and experienced critical care nurses and has developed a trusted place for bedside caregivers to bring their ideas forward to make positive changes. Emily is also working with community partners to launch a new, collaborative CNA training course for the local area.

“Emily cares for each patient as if they were family,” says Kelly Hendricks. “Her kind, empathetic approach gives patients a feeling of comfort and trust with the care she provides, resulting in the best outcome possible.”

About Chama Rasheed
MCHFoundation is honored to also recognize Chama Rasheed for her selfless dedication to others—patients and peers alike.

Chama has been a CNA for 26 years and has spent most of her career at Sherwood Oaks Post Acute Care. She has an incredible amount of knowledge about the facility and goes to great lengths to ensure the well-being and safety of everyone inside its walls.

“When a family or resident wants something out of the ordinary, Chama always finds a way to facilitate the request,” says nominator Denise Vicars, Sherwood Oaks Post Acute Care Business Manager. “She is a good listener and speaks up when it’s going to make a difference. She is a shining star.”

Chama is described by her peers as the ultimate team player, always stepping in to help when needed and taking on tasks above and beyond her job description. Most recently, she became educated in medical records and learned a new electronic health record software system to better support her team at work.

About the Charlene McAllister Excellence in Nursing Award
The award’s namesake—lifelong nurse Charlene McAllister—cared for patients for more than 40 years and has been involved with MCHFoundation since 1987.

Charlene remains an active Foundation Board Member and volunteer with a rich history of contributions to health and wellness. MCHFoundation is humbled to honor Charlene’s legacy and support coastal caregivers through this important award.

“Every day, our nurses go above and beyond for our neighbors and loved ones,” says Mary Kate McKenna, CFRE, MCHFoundation Executive Director. “They are healers in our community, providing compassionate care and—importantly—tremendous comfort to those in need. I am so proud of this opportunity to show our collective appreciation for their efforts, and I am grateful to our philanthropic partners for making this celebratory program possible each year.”

The Charlene McAllister Excellence in Nursing Award is a project of the MCHFoundation All In For Nurses initiative to support the recruitment and retention of nurses on the coast. All In For Nurses also includes a scholarship campaign that provides for the continued education of coastal nurses, college students working toward their nursing degree, and high school students considering a healthcare career.

To support All In For Nurses with a donation, please make a gift online or call 707-961-4671.

Mendocino Coast Healthcare Foundation (MCHFoundation), located in Fort Bragg, is a non-profit with a mission to support the health and wellness of the Mendocino Coast communities. MCHFoundation provides a path for community investment in the health and wellness of our coastal region.

If you are interested in learning more or would like to support our work by contributing or becoming a volunteer, please visit MCHFoundation.org or contact our team at [email protected] or 707-961-4688.

Please note MCHFoundation’s new address: 130 N. Main Street, Fort Bragg, CA 95437

October 19, 2022

FORT BRAGG, CA — The Mendocino Coast Healthcare Foundation (MCHFoundation) is celebrating our community’s success, thanks to its resourceful new initiative to invest in federal funding for coastal health and wellness greatest needs. A total of $1,440,060 was awarded in USDA grant funding to benefit Comptche Volunteer Fire Department, Fort Bragg High School, Mendocino Coast Hospitality Center, Parents and Friends, Inc., The Cancer Resource Centers of Mendocino County, and Adventist Health Mendocino Coast. An additional $199,500 was awarded directly to MCHFoundation.

Last year, MCHFoundation learned of the USDA Emergency Rural Health Care Grant Program, which provides up to $500 million nationwide to community-based nonprofits that primarily serve rural areas. This time-sensitive opportunity specifically offered funding to expand and support COVID-19 testing, vaccinations, and telehealth capacity—all substantial needs for organizations serving the Mendocino Coast.

Based on community listening sessions, MCHFoundation prepared to apply for nearly $1 million in funding on behalf of community organizations with important needs identified. However, further research revealed that independent grant applications from each nonprofit could yield substantially more USDA funding.

MCHFoundation quickly pivoted and stepped forward to craft grant narratives and budgets, and ultimately facilitated submissions that helped each of the following organizations secure funding:

• Comptche Volunteer Fire Department received a USDA Community Facilities Grant award of $49,900 to enhance critical infrastructure and equipment.
• Fort Bragg High School received an award of $51,800 to expand its Pay it Forward Food Pantry.
• Mendocino Coast Hospitality Center received an award of $140,960 for telehealth services, food distribution, and COVID-19 testing.
• Parents and Friends, Inc. received an award of $450,100 to expand COVID-19 testing and vaccinations for staff, as well as for community members with developmental disabilities.
• The Cancer Resource Centers of Mendocino County received an award of $25,000 to support COVID-19 treatment and testing for high-risk cancer patients.

MCHFoundation also connected Adventist Health Mendocino Coast with grant representatives and resources to help initiate their submission process. As a result, Adventist Health was awarded $722,300 to support staff wages and equipment needed to treat COVID-19 patients. The award will also help with the operation of a mobile health clinic that will improve access to care in underserved areas within the community.

Each recipient is required to invest more in its project than just what was funded by the USDA grant—through fundraising efforts, additional grant submissions, etc.—yielding an even greater impact on the communities being served.

This initiative provided MCHFoundation with a unique, powerful opportunity to strategically support health and wellness above and beyond the scope of its own annual grant awards.

“We learned that many of these organizations struggle to respond to federal funding opportunities due to immediacy of client needs and capacity challenges,” shared Mary Kate McKenna, CFRE, Executive Director of MCHFoundation. “We’re proud to expand our mission by offering staff time and expertise to our coastal nonprofit partners to enhance and support the essential care they deliver to our community.”

MCHFoundation donors gave $50,000 in gifts to cover the cost of staff hours required for the grant submission process—an incredible show of support for the team’s responsive solution to leverage staff time for a significant return on investment. The health and wellness partners were thrilled to have additional resources to help.

As well, MCHFoundation provided over $45,455 in matching funds for these grant submissions.

“We would not have been able to avail ourselves of this opportunity without MCHFoundation’s extreme assistance,” said Karen Oslund, Executive Director of The Cancer Resource Centers of Mendocino County.

With the grant award, CRC will be able to launch a telehealth program and purchase a vehicle to ensure transportation barriers don’t prevent cancer patients from receiving care. In addition, the funding will assist patients who do not have their own computer or internet to connect with their doctors via CRC technology.

The USDA grant award of $199,500 to MCHFoundation will be used to support salaries for staff distributing COVID-19 test kits, as well as for equipment and software needed to input community data more efficiently.

To support MCHFoundation, please make a gift online or call 707-961-4671.

Mendocino Coast Healthcare Foundation (MCHFoundation), located in Fort Bragg, is a non-profit with a mission to support the health and wellness of the Mendocino Coast communities. MCHFoundation provides a path for community investment in the health and wellness of our coastal region.

If you are interested in learning more or would like to support our work by contributing or becoming a volunteer, please visit MCHFoundation.org or contact our team at [email protected] or 707-961-4688.

Please note MCHFoundation’s new address: 130 N. Main Street, Fort Bragg, CA 95437