The Family Health Center of Southern Oklahoma has a new Outreach Director. On May 1, 2021, Gabriella Mendez took over as Outreach Director for FHCSO
Originally from San Francisco, Calif., Mendez moved to Tishomingo, Okla. and graduated from Tishomingo High School. She attended Methodist University in North Carolina and earned a Bachelor’s Degree. She then returned to Oklahoma and earned a Masters Degree in Public Health with a focus in rural and underserved communities from Oklahoma State University.
For the past two years, she worked in the Kingston Public School system through a Natioal Nonprofit Orginazation called Healthcorps. Mendez said she worked hard during her time at Kingston.
“During my two year placement I worked diligently to bring resources to Kingston and surrounding communities promoting health, wellness, and empowerment to students voices,” she said.
Mendez said that with the ending of her two year contract with Healthcorps looming, she accepted the position at FHCSO, and is excited for her new journey.
“With my contract ending at Healthcorps, I accepted a position with FHCSO,” Mendez said. “I am very eager to get started with Tishomingo, Coalgate, Atoka, and Kingston communities and schools. I am so excited to take on this new role and continue to serve the communities around me to help create a positive healthy impact in rural Oklahoma.”
She said she plans on using her experience to build a relationship with the communities.
“As their new Outreach Director my goal is to continue to bring awareness to the resources available at FHCSO Clinics as well as create bonds within the community to help advocate for the health and wellness of its citizens."