Trula Breuninger
SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics (SBNC) has announce the appointment of Trula Ann Breuninger, MPH, MBA, as interim CEO, the organization reported Thursday in a media release.
Breuninger’s extensive experience as a leader of community health, as well as an operations management and planning professional consultant, makes her ideally suited to lead the organization through this period, officials reported. She has previously served as CEO for four community healthcare organizations across the southwest including the San Diego American Indian Health Center and most recently, the Southern Indian Health Council, Inc., in Alpine, Calif.
“I am honored to lead SBNC and work with the Board of Directors and our dedicated Staff as Interim Chief Executive Officer,” Breuninger stated in the release. “Our commitment to provide quality care and better the lives of our patients remains strong. In the coming months, I will be executing SBNC’s restructuring plan toward stability and long term sustainability, to continue our mission to bring the critical health care services SBNC provides the Santa Barbara community every day.”
As a consultant, Breuninger has performed the full spectrum of guidance to clients including operations management, strategic planning, feasibility and marketing analysis, and has helped to reduce costs and improve profitability. Her clients have included state and local governments, tribal governments, nonprofits, governing boards, universities, research institutions and integrated healthcare organizations.
Breuninger received her MBA from the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University and an MPH degree from the School of Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition from Brigham Young University.
Breuninger’s appointment comes on the heels of some other positive news for the organization. A group of major foundations has stepped forward with significant funding. Additionally, a coalition of major healthcare providers and supportive foundations, along with SBNC, have together established a credible 100 day restructuring plan that puts SBNC on course to financial health while preserving its vital mission. Financial contributions continue to come in from the community as well.
About Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics:
The mission of Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics is to provide high quality, comprehensive, affordable healthcare to all people, regardless of their ability to pay, in an environment that fosters respect, compassion and dignity. Visit www.sbclinics.org for more information.