Luisa Buada, is an accomplished leader in developing comprehensive health care programs that expand access for people who are insured and under-served. Her visions is fueled by over 30 years of experience addressing the health care needs of marginalized populations, beginning as a translator and community health worker at a United Farmer Worker’s clinic in the 1970’s. That led her to nursing school and then to Salinas where, at age 27, she designed and built a permanent farm worker’s health clinic. She earned a Master’s in Public Health at UC Berkeley and went on to lead and consult for urban and rural community health centers before coming to lead Ravenswood Family Health Center as CEO in 2002. Under Luisa’s leadership, Ravenswood Family Health Center has experienced phenomenal growth, transforming from a “start up” into a multi-dimensional organization with nearly 100 staff and three sites serving 9,000 patients a year.
Luisa has pursued the vision of building a permanent full-service community health center including a mental health clinic with culturally accessible serves and East Palo Alto’s first full-service dental clinic. She oversees involvement with the Children’s Health Initiative; the County’s Health Care for the Homeless program and serves on the County’s Blue Ribbon Taskforce on Adult Health Care Coverage Expansion. Luisa is an influential role model who encourages the development of young leaders from within her organization. She is a visionary and passionate leader who with calm confidence faces complex and daunting challenges to bring quality healthcare and expand the safety net for residents of South San Mateo County.
