UKIAH, Calif. – MCHC Health Centers is pleased to announce the addition of Karen Oslund to its board of directors.

Oslund is the executive director of the Cancer Resource Centers of Mendocino County, or CRCMC, and a long-time county resident who has contributed to her community for years.

Oslund helped establish the Willits Kids Club, a nonprofit agency that serves children through after-school and summer programs, and she continues to serve as a board member for the organization.

From 1999 to 2008, she served on the Willits City Council and from 2002 to 2004 she was mayor of Willits. During this time she was also president of the Redwood Empire Chapter of the League of California Cities.

Before joining the CRCMC, Oslund worked for Ukiah Valley Medical Center in the medical records department after managing her own medical transcription business.

“We are so pleased to have Karen join our board,” said MCHC CEO Carole Press. “The Cancer Resource Center and MCHC serve many of the same patients, and Karen understands the needs and challenges they face.”

Oslund said she was immediately impressed by MCHC when she toured its facilities in Ukiah, Willits and Lakeport.

“The facilities are modern, clean, and well designed,” she said. “And MCHC’s leaders really understand the importance of reducing barriers to care. This is essential. The sooner clients are referred to us after their initial cancer diagnosis, the faster we can help them choose a course of treatment that works best for them. With cancer, as with many health issues, the earlier people begin treatment, the better their outcomes.”

CRCMC does not charge clients for services, allowing anyone in our community to receive assistance with patient navigation, to attend support groups, to borrow resources from the lending library, or to take advantage of CRCMC’s transportation assistance.

Oslund was invited to apply for MCHC Health Centers board membership by fellow board member Jim Marrill of the Willits Community Services and Food Bank.

Oslund said she likes the fact that MCHC strives to find board members based on their ability to reflect the organization’s patient population, blending men and women and people of various ages and socio-economic statuses.

“I’m honored to serve on MCHC’s board. I think when people at our organizations build strong relationships, we’ll be able to better serve people facing cancer in our communities,” she said.

MCHC Health Centers is a local nonprofit organization providing access to comprehensive healthcare for people in Ukiah, Willits and Lakeport.

All MCHC health centers accept Medi-Cal, Medicare, Covered California insurance and other insurance.

Learn more at www.mchcinc.org.