Petaluma Health Care District Announces New Foundation, New Name

PETALUMA, CA — The Petaluma Health Care District has established a foundation, and through the process of creating the foundation, the Petaluma Health Care District is renamed as Healthy Petaluma District and Foundation — or Healthy Petaluma — it was announced in an April 25 news release.

Serving southern Sonoma County, Healthy Petaluma’s new name is accompanied by a new website, and its reimagined brand identity reflects a 76-year evolution and dedicated focus on local access to healthcare and wellness services, spearheading community health programming and initiatives, and funding and supporting community-based organizations. The foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, will manage the organization’s grant-giving in support of Healthy Petaluma’s mission and strategic priorities.

“With the introduction of our foundation, our community-owned and -operated health care district, a public agency, expands our capacity and ability to leverage funds for investing in the health of our community,” said Ramona Faith, CEO. “Our new name, Healthy Petaluma, was created to clearly articulate our purpose and better connect and engage with our community. This includes a fresh new identity that encapsulates our mission, a new functional and information-rich website, an easy and direct way to sign up for CPR trainings and volunteer opportunities, and the creation of a new grant-giving process through our foundation.”

A new Healthy Petaluma Foundation Grant Program is launching later this year and will provide opportunities to local nonprofits and organizations seeking financial support to improve health and well-being. The foundation also helps cross-sector partnerships within the community secure large governmental and private grants. The foundation will seek to become a trusted community funder working in close coordination with partner organizations, donors and grantees to align common goals and advance community health, according to the news release.

“As Healthy Petaluma, we continue to explore avenues for increased engagement with the priorities of our stakeholders and partners,” Faith said. “Healthy Petaluma uses its expertise and resources to support nonprofits, community organizations and health programs working to achieve a healthier, more equitable future.”

Healthy Petaluma lends its leadership and position as a special district and certified member of the Association of California Healthcare Districts to advocate for southern Sonoma County’s health care needs. In February, Healthy Petaluma was awarded a District Transparency Certificate of Excellence by the Special District Leadership Foundation in recognition of its outstanding efforts to promote transparency and good governance.

On Jan. 1, 2021, the district-owned Petaluma Valley Hospital (PVH) was sold to NorCal HealthConnect, a secular subsidiary of Providence, and Healthy Petaluma continues to oversee accountability for the asset purchase agreement approved by southern Sonoma County voters.

In December 2022, Providence announced its intent to close PVH’s Family Birthing Center.

"The viability of our hospital and its services provided to this community is our number one priority with the sale," Faith said. "While Providence announced the closure of the Family Birthing Center, effective May 1, we are actively working to preserve this critical unit, which Providence is contractually obligated to provide at PVH through 2025.”

In addition to its focus on PVH, Healthy Petaluma continuously works to expand its impact through strengthened partnerships, targeted initiatives, new community health events and increased programming. Its work is chronicled in its Annual Reports and highlights from 2022 include:

● HeartSafe Community
● Community Health Worker (CHW) Program
● Blue Zones Assessment
● Community Health Initiative of the Petaluma Area (CHIPA)
● Free Youth and Young Adult Heart Screenings

For more information and to explore Healthy Petaluma’s new identity, visit healthypetaluma.org.

About Healthy Petaluma District and Foundation

Formerly the Petaluma Health Care District, Healthy Petaluma District and Foundation is a community-owned and -operated agency comprising a special district and a 501(c)(3) foundation dedicated to improving the health and well-being of southern Sonoma County through leadership, advocacy, support, partnerships and education. Its vision is to foster a healthier community and equitable access to comprehensive health and wellness services. The district has ensured access to local acute care and emergency services and has served southern Sonoma County’s health and wellness needs since 1946.