Cheryl Laymon | Photo: Santa Clarita Elks Lodge 2379

[SDFHC] – After sixteen years, Cheryl Laymon, CEO of Samuel Dixon Family Health Centers Inc., has announced her resignation as of Jan. 10, 2014.

Cheryl noted that SDFHC has a great board of directors with strong leadership, headed by chairwoman Gloria Mercado-Fortine. SDFHC has a strong and committed group of employees with excellent medical leadership and staff support. Today SDFHC has a strong financial base upon which to build. With these elements in place, Cheryl feels it is a good time for transition to new leadership and vision at the CEO level.

Board chairperson, Gloria Fortine is heading up the search committee, with immediate past chairman Ed Bolden and Board Treasurer P.K. Reibsamen. Gary Bess and Associates has been hired to conduct the search and review and prioritize candidates for consideration. Requirements for the position include a masters degree and five years of community health center experience.

Sixteen years ago SDFHC had a staff of four full time employees, two part-timers and three per diem nurse practitioners, at the Val Verde Health Center. Now SDFHC has almost thirty employees, four contractors and three licensed FQHC designated locations.

Steve Schmidt was president of the 12 member board of directors with a budget of around $350,000. Today SDFHC has four locations, revenue of almost $3 million and is serving four times as many patients. SDFHC has added, and is expanding, our dental and mental health services.

Cheryl stated, “We have made a lot of progress in our ability to meet the needs of the greater Santa Clarita Valley and I am sure this is going to continue which can only benefit our community. My thanks to our strong and dedicated board of directors and our equally strong and dedicated staff. Together we have been able to take some giant steps forward that I am sure are only the beginning.”