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Adopt and present a resolution and plaque of appreciation honoring Carol Rice Mendoza, M.D., Board Certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, upon her retirement from Health & Social Services, Behavioral Health Division, with 28 years of dedicated public service to Solano County (Supervisor Spering)
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No __X_
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No __X_
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Health and Social Services Department recommends that the Board adopt and present a resolution and plaque of appreciation honoring Carol Rice Mendoza, M.D., Board Certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, upon her retirement from the Department of Health & Social Services, Behavioral Health Division, with 28 years of dedicated public service to Solano County.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Dr. Carol Rice Mendoza, M.D., was hired by Solano County Health & Social Services, Mental Health Division in July 1991 as a Board-Certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist contract employee and became a permanent employee in December 1994. Throughout her professional career she was committed to the care of youth and adolescents at the Fairfield and Vallejo Children’s Outpatient Clinics. Dr. Mendoza’s role required a comprehensive evaluation of psychiatric needs, consideration of psychosocial stressors and medical issues, and coordination with primary care providers, teachers, social workers, probation officers, foster parents, and mental health staff. Dr. Mendoza was an ongoing source of support to youth in their wellness journeys. She routinely received positive customer service ratings for her role in supportive listening to the youth and families’ needs and for her efforts to help improve their overall well-being.
Dr. Mendoza is well regarded by her colleagues for her collaborative and approachable style. She consistently found a way to partner with the treatment team in the best interest of the youth being served. She recently served as a clinical supervisor to a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and has also been a mentor and teacher to medical students on the career path of child and adolescent psychiatry. This work was in addition to her numerous consultations with mental health staff about the role of psychopharmacology and mental health treatment. Throughout her years of service she has evaluated and treated hundreds of youth with complex mental health conditions and has been a “go to” person for expert advice on diagnostic clarity.
Dr. Mendoza’s strengths are her flexibility to meet the needs of her clients as scheduled and also find a way to address the issues of others whose urgent needs were not anticipated. She is appreciated for her skill set, her positive attitude, and compassion for others. Furthermore, her multi-cultural/multi-lingual knowledge of the Spanish language and Latinx culture have helped support the diverse community needs within Solano County. On behalf of the many she has served, H&SS wishes to recognize and honor Dr. Mendoza for her 28 years of service to Solano County.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the department’s FY2019/20 Adopted Budget. The costs associated with preparation and purchase of the resolution materials and plaque are included in the Board’s FY2019/20 Adopted Budget.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose to not approve the plaque of appreciation and resolution. This is not recommended as this is an opportunity to recognize Dr. Mendoza’s contributions to the youth and families of Solano County at her retirement.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
There is no other agency involvement, though Dr. Mendoza worked collaboratively with any other agencies necessary on behalf of her clients.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION