On May 4, Axis Community Health hosted a 50th anniversary party at its Pleasanton clinic which was attended by dozens of local officials and community supporters. James Paxson, Board Chair, welcomed the guests to the celebration, and Sue Compton, CEO, provided a step-back in time with stories of Axis’s early days, including when the “lab” consisted of a rolling a wooden cart over the toilet in the patient bathroom.
Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan provided the keynote address, recognizing Axis for delivering quality, affordable healthcare services for the most vulnerable members of our community through the decades. She also lauded Axis for its recent implementation of the innovative mental health urgent care service, called Axis Bridge. Resolutions recognizing Axis were also presented by the cities of Dublin, Livermore and Pleasanton, and the Alameda County Board of Supervisors.
Axis Community Health has announced that Liz Perez-Howe, who is currently Chief Operating Officer for Axis, will be the organization’s next CEO as of June 4. Ms. Perez-Howe will take the reins from current CEO Sue Compton who is retiring.
Axis is a non-profit community health center that has been serving the Tri-Valley since 1972. With five locations throughout the Tri-Valley, Axis’s staff of 200 serves more than 15,000 local residents through an array of services that include medical care, behavioral health services, dental care and a WIC nutrition program.
“We are extremely fortunate to have Ms. Perez-Howe step into the CEO position,” said James Paxson, Chair of the Axis Board of Directors. “She understands the pivotal role community health clinics play in public health, has operationalized many initiatives at Axis, and cares deeply about the Axis mission of serving our patients. All of this makes her uniquely qualified to now head the organization into the future.”
Ms. Perez Howe, who joined Axis as COO in 2013, is a graduate of Southeastern University and holds a Masters in Professional Counseling from Georgia State University. Experience prior to joining Axis includes directing regional operations for Sylvan Learning Center in Northern CA and directing services at a 19-County mental health agency in Georgia.
“Safety-net services like Axis are essential to the well-being of so many members of our community,” says Ms. Perez-Howe. “It is an honor to be entrusted with leading Axis, particularly since when growing up, my own life and my family were lifted by safety-net services when we were struggling. I would not be who I am today without places like Axis.”
“Liz’s credentials, abilities and achievements are exceptional,” notes Sue Compton. “She has excelled in her role as COO–gaining the utmost respect from staff, managing the operational side of this never-ending pandemic, and ensuring that our clinical and front line services operate in an exemplary manner. But without a doubt, the most important gift Liz brings to being CEO of Axis is her love for the organization and her belief in the mission.”
