Gena Bravo, Woodland Memorial Hospital’s President and CEO

When most people picture a hospital, the image that usually comes to mind is of a clinical building filled with busy hallways and patient rooms. But for Gena Bravo, Woodland Memorial Hospital President and CEO since 2021, it’s much more than that. She believes, “Our hospital is very much a part of the community. We are more than our four walls, and our care for patients extends far beyond the campus.”

This warm and inclusive spirit is what guides her leadership. Gena started her career as a nurse in Mercy General Hospital’s Emergency Department 24 years ago. Raised by a disabled Vietnam veteran, from a young age Gena gained empathy and insight into the need to care for the under-resourced. “As a child, I was aware of health inequity, and saw people trying to access medical help. When I chose to dedicate my professional life to healthcare, my heart was always focused on getting into the community and serving others who have a hard time helping themselves.”

Since 2019, when she became Woodland Memorial Hospital’s Chief Operating Officer and Chief Nurse Executive, Gena has exemplified this commitment in many “boots on the ground” community health initiatives. “During the pandemic, my team put backpacks on and delivered ‘street medicine’ to help those in under-resourced populations. We also staffed mobile clinics to ensure equitable access to vaccines, serving migrant farm workers, those experiencing homelessness, students, the elderly, and people living in manufactured home communities.”

With determination and care, Gena and her team also visited every nursing home in Yolo County to train their employees on proper PPE usage and when one facility experienced a severe COVID outbreak, Gena, with other nurse leaders, created a No One Dies Alone program. “We would sit and give comfort to residents as they passed away, because their families weren't allowed inside.” Truly, Gena is steadfast in her energy and commitment to improve the health of the people we serve, including those most in need.

In 2020, Gena and her family made the decision to move from Sacramento to Woodland, as she says, “to really just embed ourselves in the community.” When asked what she loves most about Woodland, she says without hesitation, “the people.” She adds, “We really put down roots here and have made a lot of new friendships. When people in town recognize me or associate me with their healthcare, it's just an amazing feeling.”

Recently, Gena experienced her own healthcare challenge when she was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer. Now 100% cancer free, Gena passionately encourages others to schedule their routine screenings. “I’m a nurse. I know better, but I missed two mammograms. So it’s a perfect example of how easily we can let those years slip by without putting ourselves first. We all need to get those screenings.”

Since her diagnosis, many loving and appreciative staff have pulled Gena aside to say they’d stopped postponing their own important checkups and seen their doctors for symptoms that concerned them. Earlier this fall, Woodland Memorial Hospital and its parking lot was lit up in pink to honor Breast Cancer Awareness Month. “It gave me chills, and it was truly overwhelming. All patients of Woodland Healthcare can see how deeply our community cares for them.”

In addition to her leadership at the hospital, Gena joined the Board of Trustees for Woodland Healthcare Foundation in 2019. When speaking of the impact of the generous donors to the Foundation, she says, “Our amazing donors help provide much needed equipment and services to our community, and their contributions help us care for our families, friends and neighbors. I feel such deep gratitude for their generosity.”

Thank you, Gena—we are grateful for your kindness, enthusiasm, generosity and empathy you extend to all around you. We know that with your excellent leadership, Woodland Memorial Hospital will continue providing compassionate, high-quality healthcare, close to home, for our community.