About      

In 2023, the Santa Cruz Monterey Medical Association Foundation (SCMMAF) formed by combining two longstanding non-profit organizations – the Physicians for a Healthy Central Coast and the Cypress Foundation. Now, the consolidated Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit public benefit corporation, continues as the philanthropic arm of the Santa Cruz Monterey Medical Association. 

Mission

Foster careers in healthcare, support physicians through their careers, and ultimately improve the health, safety, and resiliency of Central Coast communities.

To fulfill the mission, SCMMAF acts as a bridge linking physicians and other medical and public health professionals to the community through the works of the foundation. We work in collaboration with our partners to support the improvement of health and access to a physician for all who live, work and play in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties. The focus is Workforce, Pipeline, and Wellness -- nsuring the publics health, supporting physicians through all the stages of their careers, and fostering the next generation of physicians.

Workforce and Pipeline
Supporting current and next generation physicians and other advanced-level clinicians.  Driving the discovery for developing and deploying actions to address the physician and advanced-level clinicians shortage in our county and region, supporting youth interest and engagement in health sciences, and fostering careers in medicine and healthcare. 

Wellness
With a public health focus, leading and engaging in community collaborations/partnerships that promote well-being, healthy eating, active living, and safety and resliliency throughout Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties.
 

Priorities

  1. Lead efforts to improve physician personal & professional well-being.
  2. Foster a dynamic and diverse healthcare workforce.
  3. Provide medical practice support and resources.
  4. Advance the health, safety, and resiliency of the community.

Projects

Workforce and Pipeline
  • Bridge to Medicine! - Resources for pre-med students
  • Decision Medicine! - Youth Mentorships through programs such as UCSC MESA Schools Program (Mathematics, Engineering, and Science Achievement)
  • Family Medicine Residency Fund
Wellness

SCMMAF Board of Directors
Chair
Alfred Sadler, MD FACP
CSUMB MSPA Program


President
Jack Watson, MD
Kaiser Permanente Watsonville
Vice-Chair
Anastasia Klick, MD
Salinas Valley Memorial Clinic

Secretary
Donna J. Odryna
Executive Director/CEO SCMMA/SCMMAF
Treasurer
Grant Hartzog
Professor, MCD Biology, UCSC  


Immediate Past President
Christopher O'Grady MD
Pajaro Valley Medical Clinic
                                                                  Directors
 

Violetta Barroso, MD
Kaiser Permanente Watsonville

Valerie Berry, MD
CSUMB MSPA Program
Melissa Nothnagle, MD MSc
Natividad Family Medicine Residency Program


Jeannine Rodems, MD
Santa Cruz Direct Primary Care


SCMMAF was founded as CruzMed Foundation in 2012, the name changed to Physicians for a Healthy Central Coast in 2017.

Joydip Bhattacharya, DO
Founding President

David McNutt, MD
Founding Secretary

David South, MD
Founding Treasurer

Willie Elliott-McCrae
Founding Director

Donna Odryna
Founding Director