Christy Ward Named New Chief Executive Officer at Share Our Selves
COSTA MESA, CA, September 3, 2019 –Share Our Selves (SOS), a mission-driven Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), has named Christy Ward as their new Chief Executive Officer. Christy joins the SOS team after leading One Community Health in Sacramento, CA as CEO for the past three years. She will begin her new role starting Tuesday, September 3rd.
Christy is a highly experienced leader with more than 20 years of experience and passion in primary care, particularly in service to underserved communities. Before her leadership role at One Community Health, she was the Primary Care Services Director for the Multnomah County Health Department in Portland, OR reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer. Christy oversaw more than 600 staff at 21 FQHC sites that served more than 45,000 patients under her leadership with Multnomah County.
“Christy brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to SOS, which was quickly recognized enthusiastically by the SOS Board and Senior Management Team during our interviews with her,” said SOS Board Chair, Will Klatte. “She is dedicated to our mission of Whole Person Care, continued innovation and integration of our medical and social services, and is committed to bringing the best possible care to those we serve.”
With a history of strengthening and expanding care for thousands of diverse, lower-income, and underinsured patients, Christy’s track record and expertise are enthusiastically welcomed as she will drive the Share Our Selves mission into their 50th anniversary (coming in 2020.) As leaders in providing Whole Person Care, providing both medical care and social services to the underserved and homeless in the community, the addition of Christy Ward to the SOS team helps ensure a future of stable leadership for the organization, a continued commitment of patient-centered care, and a shared goal of building a healthier, stronger Orange County.
“I am very excited and humbled to be joining the Share Our Selves (SOS) organization as the new Chief Executive Officer,” said Christy. “ As a leader in health care organizations over the last 20 years, one of my core values has been to ensure that patients are kept at the forefront of decisions that we make. I was drawn to SOS as I learned more about their history, organizational values and further after having a chance to meet with some members of the Board of Directors, leadership and staff. Through my interactions and discussions, it was clear that SOS is a very special place, with individuals at all levels that have great passion for the work they do and the services they provide. I am truly looking forward to moving the organization to the next level as we deliver high quality, person-centered care to more individuals in the communities we serve.”
Karen L. McGlinn, who has been the Chief Executive Officer at Share Our Selves since 1993, and a founding board member since 1970, will be working as the new Foundation Operations Officer for the SOS Foundation and Development team. During her tenure as CEO, Karen grew the organization beyond their roots as a free clinic to become a multi-site FQHC and certified Center of Care for the Homeless, that annually see over 78,000 clinical visits, distribute over 52,000 bags of groceries via the SOS Food Pantry, and provide service opportunities to over 1,400 local volunteers. “Christy knows that she will have a hard act to follow, “according to SOS Board Vice Chair, Marc Harper. “SOS would not be where we are without Karen’s passion, vision, and hard work.”
For further information, or press inquiries, contact Ethan Batstone
Email: ebatstone@shareourselves.org / Phone: 949.270.2148