On November 3, the College of Health and Human Services will host the 2017 Health and Human Services Hero Awards to recognize the unsung heroes in our community whose actions, thoughts and words have had a transformative impact in our region. For the rest of the month, we will be highlighting our ten honorees in our Community Heroes Series.
_____________________________________________________________
Name: Lynne Ashbeck
Occupation: Senior Vice President of Community Engagement and Population Wellness, Valley Children’s Healthcare
Nominated by: Central California Center for Health and Human Service and the Central Valley Health Policy Institute
If there is anyone in the Fresno community that is dedicated to civic service and community engagement, it is Fresno State alumna Lynne Ashbeck. For nearly 30 years, she has served the children, families and communities that make up the Central Valley – and is currently serving her fifth term on the Clovis City Council, where she previously served two terms as mayor.
In addition to her civic service, Ashbeck is passionate about children and healthcare. As the senior vice president of Community Engagement and Population Wellness for Valley Children’s Healthcare, she continuously strives to improve the lives of the most vulnerable populations. In her role, she works alongside physicians, hospital staff and community leaders to formulate and implement population wellness strategies with the intent of improving health outcomes of children, families, schools and the local community.
Prior to joining Valley Children’s Healthcare, Lynne was the regional vice president for the Hospital Council of Northern and Central California, serving nearly 40 hospitals in ten counties and working on issues ranging from mental health and workforce shortages to readmission strategies, emergency medical systems, and care for homeless patients.
Ashbeck earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Home Economics/Nutrition from Fresno State and does her part to stay connected to the University. She currently serves on the College of Health and Human Services Dean’s Council of Ambassadors and is on the steering committee of the Fresno County Preterm Birth Initiative, joining other local leaders to address the high rates of preterm birth in the Valley.
When asked about her work and why she serves, Ashbeck often says – “if not us, who?”
_____________________________________________________________
The 2017 Health and Human Services Hero Awards, which celebrates heroes from each of the seven departments, as well as centers and institutes within our college, will be held on November 3, 2017 at Fresno State. For more information on the event, contact Beth Wilkinson at 559.278.3603 or bwilkinson@csufresno.edu.
Fresno State College of Health and Human Services 