When it comes to championing community health and environmental justice, Patricia Ochoa leads the way. A member of the SFCHC Board of Directors since 2017, she has collaborated with diverse partners on a variety of community health initiatives for over two decades.
In her current position as the Grant Management and Development Section Chief for the California Department of Health, Patricia is tasked with building the infrastructure for people in underserved communities to connect with their local healthcare systems and receive the services they need to achieve better health outcomes.
Prior to that, as the guiding force behind the Cleanup in Vulnerable Communities Initiative at California’s Department of Toxic Substances Control, she oversaw a $500 million effort to address environmental contamination in communities that are often overlooked. She also developed and implemented outreach strategies and public engagement plans for other projects undergoing environmental cleanups.
Patricia also previously served as executive director of the Valley Care Community Consortium, where she led initiatives to expand access to care through collaborations with federally qualified health centers and local nonprofits. Her commitment to serving the most vulnerable dates back to her prior leadership positions with the Coalition for Clean Air, Physicians for Social Responsibility, InnerCity Struggle and Pacoima Beautiful – where she supported programs and policies to reduce pollution and health hazards in communities bearing the highest environmental burdens.
Today, Patricia brings her extensive experience collaborating with nonprofit organizations, elected officials, industry leaders and community stakeholders to help guide SFCHC’s mission. “As a board, our responsibility extends beyond fostering and supporting the health center’s administration and delivery of services,” she said. “We share a strong sentiment about the importance of connecting with our community and empowering people to improve their health.”
In addition to her unique focus on public and environmental health, Patricia offers a special personal connection to SFCHC. Born and raised in the San Fernando Valley, she has fond memories of her mother first bringing her to the clinic when she was about six years old. “When you come here as a child, it becomes a part of you,” she said. Building on this tradition, Patricia shared that some of her family members have chosen SFCHC as their healthcare home. “My father-in-law is currently a dental patient and loves it!”
Patricia’s professional journey is punctuated by a wealth of academic achievements. She holds a master’s degree in public health, a master’s degree in Chicano/a studies and a bachelor’s degree in English and Chicano/a studies—all from California State University, Northridge. She also is a certified Cal-EPA racial equity trainer and health education specialist, and holds a sustainability certificate from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Maintaining an active lifestyle, one of Patricia’s favorite hobbies is teaching her daughters how to cook. Once a marathon runner, she was sidelined by an injury. Now, she's getting back into running with a new goal: to train for a walk/run marathon!
