UKIAH, Calif. – In an effort to continually improve patient responsiveness, Mendocino Community Health Clinic (MCHC) recently appointed Wayne Menger to its board of directors.

Menger moved to Ukiah to retire after 12 years as an elementary school teacher in Florida and 15 years with AT&T in California.

Since retiring almost three years ago, Menger has sought opportunities to invest his time and energy in the Ukiah community.

“MCHC is a great match for me. I really like the people, and I truly believe that everyone should have access to health care. At MCHC, everyone is welcome,” he said.

MCHC is a nonprofit health organization that provides primary medical care (including Care for Her), some specialty medical care, dental care, and behavioral health care at three health centers in Ukiah, Willits, and Lakeport.

Because of its designation as a federally qualified health clinic, MCHC brings millions of federal dollars to Lake and Mendocino counties to care for the most vulnerable people in our communities.

Menger was especially impressed with the level of engagement of the current board members. “I’ve volunteered on other non-profit boards, and the thing I liked about the MCHC board meeting is that the people are obviously there to participate, not to pad their resumes. The board members really care,” he said.

Menger hopes to bring his enthusiasm for helping others and his experience from other non-profit boards to MCHC, and believes that not having a health care background will allow him to provide objective feedback from a patient’s perspective.

When he is not working on MCHC business, he also volunteers for the local Humane Society and is on the board of directors at Ukiah Players Theatre.

He and his partner, Victor, both retired in 2010 and enjoy traveling – whether it be to somewhere as close as San Francisco or as far as Europe.

“I think it is so important to really live your life. If you don’t do things now, you may not be able to. We’re living life now,” Menger said.

MCHC CEO Lin Hunter said, “We’re so pleased that Wayne accepted our invitation to join the Board. He is obviously dedicated to giving back to the community and his personality makes him really fun to have at the board meetings.”