UKIAH, Calif. – MCHC Health Centers is pleased to announce the addition of its newest board member: Corrigan Gommenginger, the chief executive officer of Hospice Services of Lake County.

Originally from Montana, Gommenginger arrived in Lake County via the Seattle area, where he served in several health care-related positions.

He provided accounting services for a number of non-profit organizations before becoming the finance director for a health policy organization and then the chief operating officer of a hospital.

In 2009 to 2010, recognizing the trend of reductions in healthcare reimbursement, he helped his hospital reduce costs and “worked myself out of a job,” he explained.

At that time, he started a consulting firm to help other healthcare organizations optimize operations and reduce costs. One of his clients, Hospice of Kitsap County, was so impressed with his work that they asked him to become their chief financial officer and eventually their CEO, and that is how Gommenginger got into the hospice business.

In January 2015, Gommenginger moved to Lake County to become the CEO of Hospice Services of Lake County.

Like most people who relocate, Gommenginger needed to establish a primary care provider, but he struggled to find one.

“I wanted a male provider and, of course, I had to find someone accepting new patients,” he said.

He met Dr. Jerry Douglas, who became a personal friend, and when Dr. Douglas became the chief medical officer for MCHC Health Centers, Gommenginger asked about MCHC providers.
Gommenginger was connected with Dr. Mario Espindola and he was instantly impressed.

“I’m a millennial, so I fully expect that a doctor will be typing into a computer while talking to me, but after a quick glance at the computer screen, Dr. Espindola turned to me, looked me in the eye and said, ‘Tell me how I can help you today.’ He spent time listening to me, really paying attention and connecting the dots,” Gommenginger said.

Gommenginger’s work in hospice has given him a deep appreciation for the needs of patients and families at the end of life.

He noted that many healthcare organizations struggle to “get it right,” as he put it. “A lot of doctors don’t have those hard, end-of-life conversations until it’s too late. This robs people of important choices and opportunities.”

He noted that MCHC Health Centers is an exception in this area. “MCHC providers do a good job of helping patients and their families prepare as the end approaches,” he said.

Gommenginger explained that the more he learns about MCHC Health Centers, the more impressed he becomes, from its quality of care to its leadership.

“It is clear from the board meetings I’ve attended that the leadership team has a lot of mutual trust and respect. When problems arise, [CEO] Carole [Press] shares them with us along with thoughtful, well-considered solutions. Meetings are focused and directed, and board members seem to be there for the good of the organization—no egos or side agendas. I’m honored to be part of this group,” he 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 .