On behalf of the Omni Family Health Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer Francisco L. Castillon, MPA:

We honor and remember Dr. Wagih Michael, former Chief Executive Officer of Omni Family Health, previously known as National Health Services, Inc. Dr. Michael passed away on July 1, 2024. His passing marks the end of an era, but his legacy of service will continue to inspire generations to come. Dr. Michael’s tenure as CEO, spanning from December 1985 to October 2010, was characterized by an enduring commitment to ensuring accessible healthcare for all. Under his leadership, the organization grew from two modest health centers located in Buttonwillow and Lost Hills, California, into a network of 13 health centers dedicated to serving the rural and agricultural communities of Kern County and several communities within the greater Bakersfield area.

According to Omni Family Health Board Member Susan Watkins, “Dr. Michael was passionate and dedicated to community health centers and their patients. I learned a lot from him as a young board member and use that knowledge even today as I continue to serve on the Omni Family Health Board of Directors. He devoted his life to advancing affordable, quality healthcare for all, and our community is better because of his contributions.

” Reflecting on Dr. Michael’s impact, Francisco L. Castillon, MPA, Chief Executive Officer, stated, “Dr. Michael was my first supervisor when I entered the community health center movement after graduate school in the late 1970s. He was among an incredibly dedicated and mission-driven group of leaders who worked tirelessly to remove barriers to quality healthcare in underserved areas. As we mourn his passing, we are forever appreciative of his commitment to serving the individuals and families of Kern County, leaving a lasting impact on our local communities.”

Throughout his 25 years of service, Dr. Michael nurtured a team of professionals who continue to uphold the mission of Omni Family Health with passion and purpose. “Dr. Michael’s dedication to the organization and to his family was truly inspiring. He gave me a career opportunity at Omni Family Health, which ultimately shaped my professional journey. For that, I will always be grateful to him,” shared Aurora Ibarra, Chief Human Resources Officer. Milad Khalil, Chief Financial Officer, remembered, “I worked for Dr. Michael for 12 years, and he played a large part in my career development. I will be forever thankful for his leadership and friendship. Dr. Michael was a hands-on leader and had a heart for our patients, especially the farm-working community. His honesty, generosity, and compassion will not be forgotten.”

Dr. Michael’s contributions helped pave the way for a future where quality healthcare is accessible to all. With gratitude and admiration, we honor Dr. Michael for his commitment to accessible healthcare and his enduring legacy of service.

Omni Family Health, a leading healthcare provider in Kern, Kings, Tulare and Fresno Counties, is thrilled to announce the recipients of its annual college scholarships awards. These $1,000 scholarships, awarded to 15 exceptional graduating high school students, are a testament to our commitment to fostering the next generation of healthcare leaders. Each of these students, with their strong passion for healthcare and dedication to community service, is poised to make a significant difference in their communities.

For over two decades, Omni Family Health has been dedicated to supporting the development of our future healthcare leaders. Through its scholarship program, the organization has awarded a cumulative sum of $204,000 in scholarships to 204 deserving local high school seniors.

Francisco L. Castillon, Chief Executive Officer of Omni Family Health, conveyed, “Our sincere congratulations go out to all the graduating seniors who have successfully completed their high school education this year. We proudly award these scholarships to a group of gifted and diligent students who have chosen to pursue careers in healthcare, and we extend our best wishes for their success in college and beyond.”

The Omni Family Health Board of Directors and Scholarship Committee carefully selected the scholarship recipients under the leadership of Susan Watkins, Board Director, and Committee Chair. This rigorous process ensures that the scholarships are awarded to the most deserving students, reflecting our commitment to fairness and excellence. Ms. Watkins adds, “At Omni Family Health, we believe in investing in the future of healthcare. These scholarships are a symbol of our commitment to supporting talented students in our local communities. It was a privilege to identify these promising students for the awards, and we wish them the best as they begin their college journey later this year.”

Omni Family Health proudly awarded each student listed below a $1,000 college scholarship. These students will be recognized and presented with their scholarships during award ceremonies at their respective high schools.

To be eligible for the scholarships, students must have resided in or graduated from a school within an Omni Family Health service area. Additionally, they must have expressed a strong interest in pursuing a healthcare career, graduated in the year of the award presentation, and maintained a minimum GPA of 3.5. Letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the scholarship candidates were also required.

Omni Family Health remains committed to supporting aspiring healthcare professionals, and the organization will begin accepting scholarship applications for the 2025 academic year in early Spring. For the latest information and updates, please visit our website.

About Omni Family Health

Omni Family Health is a growing network of nearly 40 health centers throughout Kern, Kings, Tulare, and Fresno counties. Since 1978, Omni has provided high-quality primary and preventative healthcare to individuals and families in our communities, including comprehensive medical, dental, and behavioral health services. Omni’s committed providers and staff promote regular and continuous care regardless of a patient’s ability to pay as a mission-driven organization. Nearly 150,000 patients are cared for annually by Omni’s exceptional team of board-certified providers specializing in a broad range of primary and specialty care services.

For more information, please visit our website.

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Media Contact: Michelle Lyday, Director of Communications
Omni Family Health
(661) 619-0267
mlyday@omnifamilyhealth.org

During his visit, Congressman Costa met with healthcare providers, staff, and patients at the Exeter Health Center, gaining valuable insights into the critical services offered by Omni Family Health. The discussion focused on the center’s dedication to providing family practice, dentistry, free prescription delivery, telehealth, and more. “I am impressed by the work Omni Family Health is doing to provide quality and accessible healthcare to the people of the Central Valley and appreciated the opportunity to visit one of their nearly 40 health center locations,” shared Congressman Costa.

Francisco L. Castillon, MPA, Chief Executive Officer of Omni Family Health said, “We are honored to have welcomed Congressman Jim Costa to our Exeter Health Center. His presence highlights the vital role that community health centers play in delivering accessible healthcare to our community, and we value the time he took to meet with our providers and staff.”

About Omni Family Health:

Omni Family Health is a growing network of nearly 40 state-of-the-art health centers throughout Kern, Kings, Tulare, and Fresno Counties. Since 1978, Omni has provided high-quality primary and preventative healthcare to individuals and families in our communities, including comprehensive medical, dental, and behavioral health services. As a mission-driven organization, Omni’s team of committed providers and staff promotes regular and continuous care regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. Nearly 150,000 patients are cared for annually by Omni’s exceptional team of board-certified providers specializing in a broad range of primary and specialty care services.

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Michelle Lyday
Director of Communications
Omni Family Health
(661) 619-0267
mlyday@OmniFamilyHealth.org 

Omni Family Health, a leading healthcare provider, proudly announces the recipients of its annual college scholarships, totaling $15,000. This year, scholarships were awarded to 15 exceptional graduating high school students who have displayed a strong passion for healthcare and a commitment to making a difference in their communities.

For over two decades, Omni Family Health has been dedicated to supporting the development of our future healthcare leaders. Through its scholarship program, the organization has awarded a total of $189,000 in scholarships to 189 deserving local high school seniors.

“We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the graduating seniors who have completed their high school education this year,” said Francisco L. Castillon, Chief Executive Officer of Omni Family Health. “We are pleased to offer scholarship awards to these talented and hardworking students, and wish them the very best in their college pursuits and future healthcare careers.”

The scholarship recipients were selected through a rigorous process by the Omni Family Health Board of Directors and Scholarship Committee, led by Susan Watkins, Board Director and Committee Chair. According to Ms. Watkins, “These scholarships are just one of the many ways Omni Family Health gives back to our local communities each year. It was an honor selecting these promising students for the awards and we wish them well as they begin their college coursework later this year.”

Omni Family Health proudly awarded each of the students listed below a $1,000 college scholarship. These students will be recognized and presented with their scholarships during award ceremonies at their respective high schools.

• Isabella Duran, Lindsay High School
• Maxine Ronase, North High School
• Safiya Khalid, Sherman E. Burroughs High School
• Kaylee Tripp, North High School
• Ryan Gamez, Cesar E. Chavez High School
• Lauren Smith, Bakersfield Christian High School
• Annalise Ostash, Sherman E. Burroughs High School
• Sofia Truong, Stockdale High School
• Ashley Ibarra Orozco, Lindsay High School
• Estecia Valadez, Reedley High School
• Haily Barnes, Frontier High School
• Angela Castillo, Central Valley Christian Schools
• Mailee Francisco, Cesar E. Chavez High School
• Audree Guinto, Cesar E. Chavez High School
• Valeria Valencia, Dinuba High School

To be eligible for the scholarships, students must have resided in or graduated from a school within an Omni Family Health service area. Additionally, they must have expressed a strong interest in pursuing a healthcare career, graduated in the year of the award presentation, and maintained a minimum GPA of 3.5. Letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the scholarship candidates were also required.

Omni Family Health remains committed to supporting aspiring healthcare professionals, and the organization will begin accepting scholarship applications for the 2024 academic year in early Spring. For the latest information and updates, please visit our website.

About Omni Family Health

Omni Family Health is a growing network of nearly 40 health centers throughout Kern, Kings, Tulare, and Fresno counties. Since 1978, Omni has provided high-quality primary and preventative healthcare to individuals and families in our communities, including comprehensive medical, dental, and behavioral health services. Omni’s committed providers and sta promote regular and continuous care regardless of a patient’s ability to pay as a mission-driven organization. Nearly 150,000 patients are cared for annually by Omni’s exceptional team of board-certified providers specializing in a broad range of primary and specialty care services.

For more information, please visit our website.

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Media Contact: Michelle Lyday, Director of Communications
Omni Family Health
(661) 619-0267
mlyday@omnifamilyhealth.org

The new health center offers a wide range of healthcare services to the community, including behavioral health, chiropractic, dentistry, family practice, pharmacy with free prescription delivery, optometry, and telehealth.

The location is staffed with experienced and compassionate healthcare professionals who are dedicated to providing quality, personalized care to patients. The center is fully equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and technologies that make diagnosis, treatment, and care delivery seamless.

“Omni Family Health is committed to providing comprehensive healthcare services to underserved communities throughout the Central Valley,” said Mr. Francisco L. Castillon, MPA, Chief Executive Officer of Omni Family Health, “with this new health center in east Bakersfield, Omni Family Health continues to improve access to high-quality healthcare services for residents in the area.”

The community is invited to visit the new health center to take advantage of the various healthcare services it offers.

• WHAT: Omni Family Health New Health Center Now Open
• WHERE: 6700 Niles St, Bakersfield, CA 93306
• WHEN: Now Open – Monday – Saturday, call (866) 707-OMNI (66 64) for an appointment.

To make an appointment, ask a question, or refill a prescription, call (866) 707-OMNI (66 64).

The health center will continue to increase providers, staff and services over the next several months, and will celebrate a grand opening and ribbon-cutting event later in the year.

About Omni Family Health

Omni Family Health is a growing network of nearly 40 health centers throughout Kern, Kings, Tulare, and Fresno counties. Since 1978, Omni has provided high-quality primary and preventative healthcare to individuals and families in our communities, including comprehensive medical, dental, and behavioral health services. Omni’s committed providers and staff promote regular and continuous care regardless of a patient’s ability to pay as a mission-driven organization. Nearly 150,000 patients are cared for annually by Omni’s exceptional team of board-certified providers specializing in a broad range of primary and specialty care services.

For more information, please visit our OmniFamilyHealth.org.

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Media Contact:

Michelle Lyday
Director of Communications
Omni Family Health
(661) 619-0267
mlyday@omnifamilyhealth.org

About Omni Family Health

Omni Family Health is a growing network of 38 state-of-the-art health centers throughout Kern, Kings, Tulare, and Fresno Counties. Since 1978, Omni has provided high-quality primary and preventative healthcare to individuals and families in our communities, including comprehensive medical, dental, and behavioral health services. As a mission-driven organization, Omni’s team of committed providers and staff promotes regular and continuous care regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. Nearly 130,000 patients are cared for each year by Omni’s exceptional team of board-certified providers who specialize in a broad range of primary and specialty care services.

For more information, please visit www.OmniFamilyHealth.org.

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Media Contact: Michelle Lyday, Director of Communications
Omni Family Health
(661) 619-0267
mlyday@omnifamilyhealth.org

About Omni Family Health

Omni Family Health is a growing network of 38 state-of-the-art health centers throughout Kern, Kings, Tulare, and Fresno Counties. Since 1978, Omni has provided high-quality primary and preventative healthcare to individuals and families in our communities, including comprehensive medical, dental, and behavioral health services. As a mission-driven organization, Omni’s team of committed providers and staff promotes regular and continuous care regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. Nearly 130,000 patients are cared for each year by Omni’s exceptional team of board-certified providers who specialize in a broad range of primary and specialty care services.

For more information, please visit www.OmniFamilyHealth.org.

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Media Contact: Michelle Lyday, Director of Communications
Omni Family Health
(661) 619-0267
mlyday@omnifamilyhealth.org

Omni Family Health has proudly awarded $15,000 in college scholarships to 15 exceptional graduating high school students interested in pursuing careers in healthcare. For 22 years, Omni Family Health has invested in our healthcare workforce, supporting future leaders, doctors, medical assistants, technicians, nurses, and more through a yearly scholarship program. To date, Omni has awarded 164 scholarships, a total of $164,000, to local graduating seniors.

“We want to wish all of the seniors completing their school education this year a very well deserved congratulations,” said Omni Family Health Chief Executive Officer, Francisco L. Castillon. “We look forward to the great success these students will achieve, not only in healthcare, but in all professions.”

“These scholarships are just one of the many ways Omni Family Health gives back to our local communities. It is an honor to review the many scholarship applications we receive each year and select those who are most deserving of the awards,” stated Omni Family Health Board Director and Scholarship Committee Chair Susan Watkins.

On behalf of the Omni Family Health Board of Directors and Executive Management Team, we would like to congratulate this deserving group of students who have demonstrated passion and excellence in their scholarship applications:

• Maxine Alba, Centennial High School
• Isabella Alvarez, McFarland High School
• Davianna Diaz, McFarland High School
• Madison Johnson, Sherman E. Burroughs High School
• Brigitte Medina, Taft Union High School
• Makenna Moseley, Centennial High School
• Alexis Onsurez, Stockdale High School
• April Park, Stockdale High School
• Ella Parks, Bakersfield High School
• Keilin Arrieta-Raya, Cesar E. Chavez High School
• Nancy Hernandez Rivera, McFarland High School
• Mone Rocha, Ridgeview High School
• Alor Sahoo, Stockdale High School
• Jeffrey Wilson, Ridgeview High School
• Christopher Zavala, Liberty High School

The scholarships will be presented to students during award ceremonies at their respective schools. To be eligible for the scholarships, the students must have resided in or graduated in a school within an Omni Family Health service area. Awardees must also have expressed an interest in the healthcare profession, graduate the year an award is presented and have a GPA no less than 3.5. Letters of recommendation are also required from those familiar with the scholarship candidates.

Omni Family Health will be accepting 2023 scholarship applications early next year. To stay up to date with the latest information, visit our website at https://omnifamilyhealth.org/scholarship/.

About Omni Family Health

Omni Family Health is a growing network of 38 state-of-the-art health centers throughout Kern, Kings, Tulare, and Fresno counties. Since 1978, Omni has provided high-quality primary and preventative healthcare to individuals and families in our communities, including comprehensive medical, dental, and behavioral health services. Omni’s committed provider and staff team promote regular and continuous care regardless of a patient’s ability to pay as a mission-driven organization. Each year, nearly 150,000 patients are cared for by Omni’s exceptional team of board-certified providers specializing in a broad range of primary and specialty care services.
For more information, please visit www.OmniFamilyHealth.org.

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Media Contact: Michelle Lyday, Director of Communications
Omni Family Health
(661) 619-0267
mlyday@omnifamilyhealth.org

Omni Family Health is pleased to announce we have received a perfect score in a recent audit by Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Established in 1982, HRSA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, serving as the primary federal agency for improving healthcare for underserved and underrepresented communities throughout the United States. This review, known as an Operational Site Visit (OSV), is designed to ensure community health centers across the nation remain in compliance with federal regulations and standards.

Traditionally conducted in person, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s review was completed virtually. Beginning May 18, 2021 and taking place over three days, four experienced representatives from HRSA, each specializing in key elements of health center compliance, performed an extensive evaluation of our organization. This included a comprehensive review of clinical, financial, governance and administrative policies and procedures, interviews with the Board of Directors, leadership and staff, and virtual site tours of select health centers within our growing network of 36 health centers spanning four counties. Following this meticulous review, Omni proudly earned a rare and almost unheard of 100% compliance – a perfect score!

“This perfect score, 92 out of 92 compliance elements met, is not simply a reflection of good preparation, but is truly reflective of the spirit of our organization and workforce. Despite the challenges and uncertainty of the past year, Omni’s Board of Directors, Executive Management Team, providers and staff have proven our adaptability and resilience, remaining focused and diligent in our efforts to serve our communities,” stated Chief Executive Officer Francisco L. Castillon, MPA.

Last year, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many healthcare organizations suffered, laying off staff and permanently closing health centers, which had an overall devastating effect on the healthcare system. Despite the challenging and unprecedented times, Omni Family Health innovated to bring a best-practice telehealth and teledentistry program to our patients, and proudly opened two new health centers in Bakersfield. As a result of these innovations and the combined efforts of our leadership and workforce, all 36 of our health centers are open and employees have returned to work. In addition, we are adding new staff and provider positions and opening additional health centers in 2021. Omni’s growth has a positive impact on both our workforce and our patients as this positive resurgence ensures our organization will continue to deliver on our mission of providing access to healthcare to our communities for many more years to come.

About Omni Family Health

Omni Family Health is a growing network of 36 state-of-the-art health centers located throughout Kern, Kings, Tulare, and Fresno Counties. Since 1978, Omni has provided high-quality primary and preventative healthcare to individuals and families in our communities, including comprehensive medical, dental, and behavioral health services. As a mission-driven organization, Omni’s team of committed providers and staff promotes regular and continuous care regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. Each year, nearly 150,000 patients are cared for by Omni’s exceptional team of board-certified providers who specialize in a broad range of primary and specialty care services.

For more information, please visit www.OmniFamilyHealth.org.

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Media Contact:
Michelle Lyday, Director of Communications
Omni Family Health
(661) 619-0267
mlyday@omnifamilyhealth.org