Executive Leadership 

Rosa Vivian Fernández, MPH, FACHE, CEC
President & Chief Executive Officer

Ms. Fernandez has over twenty years of experience in the healthcare field. She has a Bachelor’s in Science from UC Davis, class of 86, a Master’s in Public Health from UC Berkeley, class of 91, and post graduate fellowships in community health center management, healthcare leadership and executive leadership from John Hopkins University, University of Southern California, and UCLA Anderson School of Business. Her community health center experience includes: financial management, fundraising, multidisciplinary team supervision, policy development, program planning, development and evaluation. Ms. Fernandez serves as a consultant to the Health Care Resource Administration (HRSA) as an Office of Performance Review (OPR) consultant team member for federally funded clinics. Ms. Fernandez has served in various grant objective review committees for federal grant review panels including HRSA, OPA and SAMHSA. Ms. Fernandez serves as a National Health Service Corp (NHSC) Ambassador, a role in which she advocates and provides mentorship to healthcare professionals who are NHSC candidates and a match as future health service providers for underserved areas. Ms. Fernandez is a Fellow of the American College of HealthCare Executives and a member of the American Public Health Association.

Ms. Fernandez has served as the President & CEO of San Benito Health Foundation (SBHF), a federally funded Farmworker and Community Health Center located in Hollister California since 2004. During her tenure at SBHF she has led the organization to financial stability, program growth and innovation. Under her leadership SBHF became federally funded under HRSA, bring financial stability to the organization and an ability to continue its mission of serving all members of the community regardless of ability to pay. In 2019, Ms. Fernandez led the process of remodeling the Hollister legacy facility adding a vision services wing and moving the building into a solar off the grid facility, the first community health center to achieve this effort in California. This effort ensured that SBHF had electrical power to continue serving the community during emergency power outages and established the reduction of its carbon footprint. With equity and justice as a forefront Ms. Fernandez arduously led SBHF through the COVID-19 Pandemic response and subsequent vaccination process. She served on the Board of her local chapter of Habitat for Humanities and the UC Berkeley School of Public Health Alumni Association and as an External Leadership Council Member for CSUMB’s College of Health Sciences and Human Services. An active Rotarian, Ms. Fernandez has also served as President of her local Rotary Chapter.

Dr. Edwin Acosta, MMS, DDS
Primary Care Service Director

Dr. Edwin Acosta has served San Benito Health Foundation patients since 2008 as a Dentist and the Primary Care Service Director. Dr Acosta is a graduate from the University of Florida, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science Education. He continued his studies at Nova Southeastern University, where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Physician Assistant Studies and a Master’s Degree in Medical Science. Upon graduation, he worked as a Physician Assistant in spine surgery. However, he found his true calling in the field of dentistry and in 2008, received his doctorate from Meharry Medical College in Dentistry. Dr. Acosta began his dental career at the San Benito Health Foundation and continues to serve the local community. During his early tenure with SBHF, Dr. Acosta excelled in service delivery and leadership ushering him to the role of Dental Director and later Primary Care Services Director. Dr. Acosta has completed the HRSA Clinical Director training for community health center clinical leadership. Due to his unique cross discipline training Dr. Acosta was instrumental in leading SBHF’s response to the H1N1 Pandemic and later the COVID-19 Pandemic. Dr. Acosta is also an innovative clinical space designer and led the remodeling of the Dental Department from a 4-chair to an 8-chair open space operatory which has been well received by patients of all age groups. He has been awarded the National Health Service Scholarship and remains active with National Network for Oral Health Access (NNOHA), the California Dental Association, and the California Primary Care Association.

Jorge Terrones
Director of Operations

Jorge Terrones has a degree in Marketing from the Universidad del Valle de México as well as a Certificate in Data Science from UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business. Terrones combined his background in marketing with his interest in healthcare as a Community Engagement Officer for the San Benito County Health Foundation. Mr. Terrones was instrumental in initiating communication with patients during the most critical time when the COVID-19 Pandemic began in March of 2020. Mr. Terrones became a vital member of the care team as he quickly implemented Zoom for Board Communication and WhatsApp for Patient Communication and Telemedicine. While there were other means of communicating via telemedicine, SBHF’s patient population had significant difficulties in utilizing these tools. WhatsApp was a familiar resource used in households and when they did not know how to use this tool Mr. Terrones would coach them through the installation via phone and later test them in preparation for provider to patient communication. This innovative effort resulted in quick patient access, ending isolation for many seniors who were fearful and were now able to communicate not only with the clinic but with family members across the US Mexico Border. In 2021, Terrones was promoted to Director of Operations, where he oversees patient management and directs clinic operations. Recently, Terrones was selected for the UCLA / Johnson and Johnson Healthcare Executive’s 2023 cohort. This highly competitive program builds leadership and management skills of community health center leaders like Terrones, who are focused on expanding the quality and availability of care, treatment and support to underserved and vulnerable populations.

Ken Williams
Lead Accountant

Ken Williams is a seasoned accounting professional with a wealth of knowledge cultivated from a business career spanning 50 years. Mr. Williams first pursued business administration at Iowa State University before earning his M.B.A from Northwestern University. Mr. Williams has worked across the country in a variety of industries to develop his unique skillset in accounting and human resources. While Mr. Williams initially came to the Central Valley for a position in the produce industry, he found his calling in healthcare -- an interest that was initially piqued during his military service in the Army Medical Department. Mr. Williams joined the San Benito Health Foundation in 2008 and has since become an integral member of the Foundation’s administrative staff. Today, Mr. Williams continues to lead the SBHF’s accounting team while supporting the health center’s mission to serve the community.

Kathy Meza
Front Staff Supervisor

Kathy Meza is the Front Desk Supervisor at the San Benito Health Foundation. She received her Dental Assistant credential from Santa Clara Office of Education’s Dental Assistant program. Meza is a Hollister native and joined the San Benito Health Foundation as a student intern in the dental department. At the Foundation, she has developed her abilities in the dental field and her affinity for management and patient care. In 2017, Ms. Meza completed her internship and became an official San Benito Health Foundation employee as a Dental Assistant. Ms. Meza is bilingual and a multifaceted professional. In 2019, she was promoted to Front Desk Supervisor, where she ensures every patient is attended to and cared for according to their needs. Ms. Meza is a huge asset to the SBHF team, as she continues to further the Foundation’s mission and serve her home community.

Jackeline Garcia
Supervisor

Driven by her passion for helping others, Jackeline Garcia is a diligent and highly organized manager. Ms. Garcia pursued her Medical Assistant certification at San Joaquin Valley College. She has extensive experience working with patient populations, serving at institutions including the Salvation Army and New Bethany Residential Care. Following her certification, Ms. Garcia externed for APEX Medical and in 2018 joined the San Benito Health Foundation as a Medical Assistant. She was promoted to a Supervisor position in 2020. As a Supervisor, Ms. Garcia is an essential part of floor operations and clinic functioning. She is bilingual, and responsible for lab operations, various Foundation programs, as well as ensuring patient needs are met. Ms. Garcia was instrumental in conducting the health center’s emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic and serving the County of San Benito in a time of great need. Ms. Garcia is currently continuing her education at Merced College to pursue registered nursing.

Celeste Aguilar
Supervisor

Celeste Aguilar is a certified Medial Assistant and Supervisor at the San Benito County Health Foundation. Ms. Aguilar took an early interest in the medical field, serving as a sports medic for Hollister High School during her senior year. The experience, combined with her passion for helping others, inspired her to pursue Medical Assistant certification at Carrington College. Upon graduating, she was hired by San Benito County Health Foundation as a Medical Assistant. Ms. Aguilar has helped hundreds of patients in her home community. In 2021, Ms. Aguilar was promoted to a Supervisor position, where she coordinates floor operations, trains new medical assistants, and supports providers. As a bilingual health professional, Ms. Aguilar prioritizes patient experience and care across language barriers. Her empathy and excellent managerial abilities have elevated both the quality and breadth of services provided by the SBHF.