Washington, D.C., October 12, 2018 - La Clínica del Pueblo’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce the unanimous selection of Catalina Sol as the next Executive Director of the organization. As La Clínica’s current Chief Program Officer, Catalina will step into her new role as Executive Director on December 1st, 2018.
Following an extensive national search that resulted in many highly qualified candidates, Catalina emerged as the Board of Directors top choice due to her innovation and creativity, her expertise in the field of public health, her demonstrated leadership, and her unique vision for this next phase in La Clínica’s future.
Catalina has a long history with La Clínica and the community, it serves, holding various staff and volunteer roles through La Clínica’s evolution from a volunteer-run free clinic to a federally qualified health center. In 1998 she joined La Clínica’s leadership team as its HIV Department Director, where for a decade she led its comprehensive RyanWhite care and support services and its community prevention programs. She has been recognized for her leadership role in local and regional coalitions and national planning bodies, and for development of innovative HIV prevention programs and care. In 2009 she assumed the Chief Program Officer role where she has been responsible for overall strategic directions and integration of programs. Catalina has led many of La Clínica’s practice transformation initiatives, obtaining early recognition as a Patient Centered Medical Home, and has supported the development and growth of La Clínica’s mental health and substance use, language access, and community health action programs and strategies. Most recently she has worked collaboratively with program and clinical leadership to develop integrated program models and interventions, strengthen data and evaluation systems, and align La Clínica’s ser vice model with the evolving directions of the health sector. She received her Master’s in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University, and is a current fellow of the Robert Wood Johnson Interdisciplinary Research Leaders program. Catalina steps into the Executive Director role with more than 25 years of public health and direct service provision with underserved communities and Latino immigrants. “At this moment in our history, it is a tremendous honor to be entrusted with the direction of an agency which derives its power from the community it serves,“expressed Catalina.“I am immensely proud of our achievements over the past 35 years, and am greatly looking forward to working collaboratively with our partners, friends, and community to continue to advocate for policies, systems, and services that increase health equity and access for all.” Alicia Wilson, La Clínica’s current Executive Director for the past 10 years will officially step down from the Executive Director role on November 30th. Alicia shared, “it is exciting to see Catalina step into this role as a long-time leader in public health, Latino immigrant rights, and as a strong representation of the community we serve.We feel so fortunate to have such an incredible internal candidate who can build on La Cínica’s history while leading a new and important chapter.”
“For 35 years, La Clínica has represented a beacon of light to our community, delivering high- quality, culturally-appropriate health care services to its patients throughout the D.C. region,” said Erin Scheick, Board President of La Clínica’s Board of Directors. “The Board is delighted that Catalina has accepted the position of Executive Director, as her vision, leadership, and singular focus on the needs of our community will ensure the continued evolution of La Clínica as a regional and national example of what health as a human right can be. Over the past decade, under Alicia’s direction, La Clínica has grown into a dynamic organization serving the evolving health needs of Latinx and other immigrant populations.The Board is confident that Catalina will continue to honor the organization’s core mission and values while overseeing its next exciting chapter.”
Founded in 1983, La Clínica del Pueblo has been providing health services to the Latino community for 35 years and has continuously advocated for a more just, equitable, and inclusive healthcare system by leveraging advocacy efforts, public health initiatives, language access and expansion to new areas. Since 2015, La Clínica has expanded to five sites, including an additional clinic, a school-based mental health program, and an LGBTQ safe center in Prince George’s County, MD.To date, La Clínica serves more than 4,500 individuals through medical and mental health services, provides over 50,000 health encounters through community health action, and provides more than 20,000 interpretations each year across the Washington Metropolitan area.
MEDIA CONTACT: Rachel Ugarte Chief Development Officer 202-448-2836 / rugarte@lcdp.org