31 Oct Healthcare Help Coming for East Contra Costa County Residents

Eight LMC students have been chosen as healthcare literacy ambassadors. (Los Medanos College via Bay City News)

CC Pulse Staff Report

East Contra Costa County residents will soon have help navigating the region’s complex healthcare systems.

The recently formed Healthcare Literacy Council of Contra Costa County announced this week that it has selected eight Los Medanos College students to serve as healthcare literacy ambassadors. They will play a key role in this public education initiative. 

These ambassadors will act as trusted, community-based messengers. Their goal is to bring simple, healthcare information to untapped areas across the region.

“The goal of this campaign is to meet people where they’re at and to help them understand the healthcare system so that they can have better health outcomes,” said County Supervisor Diane Burgis, who represents District 3. “The ambassadors will be out in our community helping empower people to access their healthcare system and manage their health more confidently.” 

The students selected are Alyssa King, America Delgado Rivera, Andy Nguyen, Brianna Navarro Sotelo, Janine LaChaux, Monique Grant, Natalya Danila Marroquin and Valerie Macha Ramos. They were chosen from a large pool of applicants for their communication skills and passion for serving their community. They span several academic disciplines, cultural backgrounds and lived experiences, making a diverse cohort to connect with diverse audiences.

County officials said the ambassadors will receive training, compensation and ongoing support as they share healthcare information in ways that are meant to be accessible, memorable and culturally responsive. Beginning in January, ambassadors will offer community classes at schools, senior centers, clubs and faith-based organizations. They are also expected to have a presence at area fairs and special events and on social media.

“By empowering students as local educators and advocates, we’re building lasting bridges between healthcare systems and the communities they serve,” said Pam Galley, senior vice president and area manager of the Kaiser Permanente Diablo service area.

The pilot program will run through 2026 in District 3, focusing on outreach in Antioch, Oakley and Brentwood, as well as unincorporated areas of Bethel Island, Byron, Discovery Bay and Knightsen. The Literacy Council plans to expand the program countywide as its “Right Care Right Way” campaign grows.

Local community organizations can request community classes from Healthcare Literacy Ambassadors at www.rightcarerightway.org/community-classes.

The Healthcare Literacy Council of Contra Costa County — a partnership among Burgis, Kaiser Permanente, Contra Costa Health and the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District — is dedicated to helping residents navigate the healthcare system with confidence. 

For more information on the council and its outreach efforts, visit RightCareRightWay.org.