CLEARLAKE— For the first time in it’s 30-year history the Judge’s Breakfast was hosted by the Tribal Health Consortium at their new facility in Clearlake. Tribal Health CEO Ernesto Padilla shared the THC vision and plans for the future.
Padilla gave a brief overview of Tribal Health operations with a focus on their new South Shore location at 14440 Olympic Drive in Clearlake. This facility hosts an array of medical services including adult general medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, dental and oral surgery, as well as comprehensive pain and wellness. The THC has also made several other improvements and expansions including a 100,000 square foot administrative headquarters building and has also expanded their behavioral and tele-health services.
According to Padilla the THC serves six out of the seven local native tribes, Robinson Rancheria, Big Valley Rancheria, Scotts Valley Band of Pomo, Habematolel of Upper Lake, Elem Colony and Middletown Rancheria. Padilla noted “The Koi Nation is in Lower Lake but they are a part of Sonoma County, so they are the only tribe not part of the consortium.” Padilla also explained “A lot of these tribes, due to their size, don’t have the capacity to have their own health clinics.” Instead they pool their health care dollars together in the consortium. In total the THC serves about 3,500 federally recognized Native Americans over the age of 18, while also serving non-tribal memberss. Part of their goal is to provide medical care to the underserved or those with little to no health insurance coverage. The THC is regulated by the Indian Health Service, a federal agency within the department of Health and Human Services, guided by Title 5.
Currently the THC consists of a staff of 325 to 350 people, double their staff from 2020. Last year the THC staffing turnover rates were at 12 percent, less than half than the 2023 healthcare turnover rate of 27 percent. Padilla associated this success with their policy of competitive compensation packages and positive public relations. Aligning with their mission the THC has partnered with several nonprofits and other community organizations and prides itself on their community involvement and local outreach. Padilla added, “We have made over $350,000 in cash contributions to Lake County Schools and non-profits, including a $150,000 gift to the City of Clearlake for the Burns Valley Sports Complex.”
The Tribal Health mission is stated on the Lake County Tribal Health Website as follows: “To promote the positive change in the physical, spiritual, emotional, and social health status of the American Indians/Alaska Natives and communities we serve through culturally sensitive health care services.” Padilla added to this mission sharing “LCTH aims to increase the social, mental, and spiritual well being of the communities within Lake County.”
District 2 Supervisor Bruno Sabatier asked about Tribal 638 wondering if these funds can be used to establish a methadone clinic in the county. “One of the administrators has brought that to the board,” said Padilla, continuing to explain that currently the THC does not have the space to accommodate such a program, though it does refer patients out of county for those treatments. Konocti Unified School District Superintendent Becky Solato said, “On behalf of our kids at the school district… I appreciate you for always being there and Tribal Health in supporting our kids.”
The Judge’s Breakfast is held every Thursday morning at 7 a.m. at the Masonic Lodge in Clearlake. Next week’s speaker is Lisa Kaplan, Executive and Artistic Director at the Middletown Art Center who celebrates nine years this year.
