Dear LifeLong Medical Care Team,
I am thrilled to officially join you today, during the celebration of National Health Center Week, as the new CEO of LifeLong Medical Care. Leading an organization with such a rich legacy of community service and commitment to health equity is an honor and a profound responsibility. On my first morning as your CEO, I had the wonderful opportunity to visit with the Berkeley Dental Care team. More about future site visits below.
My journey in healthcare began long before I became a nurse. Growing up as a child of immigrants, I often translated for my Abuela during her doctor’s appointments. These experiences opened my eyes to the challenges faced by underserved communities and ignited a fire in me to make a difference. This fire led me to become a trauma nurse, working on the frontlines of patient care, and eventually growing into executive roles. Despite these advancements, I have never forgotten my roots or the communities I came from. As a Latina leader, I am deeply honored to lead an organization that serves the underserved — our people, our community.
From left: Kimberly Torrian, RDA, Dental Center Manager; CEO Cecilia Aviles, MBA, BSN, RN; Carla Willis, RDA
LifeLong Medical Care is an incredible organization with nearly 50 years of service. I have been consistently impressed by the high-quality compassionate care delivered by the LifeLong team. Patients have told me how they feel heard, respected, and truly seen as individuals at LifeLong. This dedication resonates deeply with my own values and lived experience.
My leadership philosophy is built on authenticity, transparency, and impact. I believe in fostering a culture of continuous improvement and clear communication and addressing immediate health concerns while investing in systemic changes for long-term health equity.
As David steps away, I want to express my gratitude for his exceptional leadership. His achievements in this role, especially guiding LifeLong through the COVID pandemic, have laid a strong foundation that I’m excited to build upon. I am coordinating with him to ensure a seamless transition.
In the coming weeks, I will be visiting our administrative offices and each of the sites where LifeLong delivers care – health, dental, and urgent care centers; schools, respite, addiction recovery, and supportive housing locations; and our mobile teams. These visits will be an opportunity for me to listen, learn from your experiences, gain insights into your perspectives on LifeLong’s work and future, and get to know you personally. I’m looking forward to understanding not just your professional expertise, but also your individual passions and motivations that drive your commitment to our mission.
Together, we will address the ongoing challenges in healthcare accessibility and propel our services to new heights of excellence. LifeLong’s national reputation as a beacon of community health underscores the significance of our work and the difference we are making. With your expertise, commitment, and innovative spirit, I am confident we can build upon our solid foundation to achieve even greater outcomes and impact on the communities we serve.
I am excited to work alongside you in this vital mission and look forward to meeting you all soon.
Warm regards,
Cecilia Aviles, MBA, BSN, RN
Pronouns: she/her/ella
