Araceli Gaytan - Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center - Cornelius, OR

Araceli Gaytan began her career in Mexico as a Human Resources Manager after receiving her B.S. degree in Business Administration from Universidad de Mexico. She later completed coursework at Portland Community College in accounting, management information systems, human resources and business law. In 1984, Araceli was the Teacher Coordinator for Family Life Center before accepting her current position in 1987 as Chief Financial Officer for Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center.

Araceli is active in the community with various nonprofit organizations including Shelter Domestic Violence Resource Center, CareOregon Health Plan, AD HOC Committee on Migrant Health, Willamette Valley Development Officer, Advisory Member in the Department of Medical Assistance Programs (DMAP) helping to create, and revise current policy for newly adopted, amended or repealed administrative rules, helping to create a summary for the DMAP notice of Rulemaking/Hearing filed with the Secretary of State. She is consultant under the terms of Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) within the Department of Health and Human Services, to provide technical assistance to the Office of Performance Review (OPR), working to improve access to quality health care and reduce health disparities by effectively reviewing and enhancing the performance of supported programs within communities and states. Araceli is on the Executive Strategic and Operational Council for the Oregon Community Health Information Network (OCHIN) to improve the health of the medically underserved through the best use of information and information technology.

She views an organization as a group of individuals functioning as one and believes it is the responsibility of a good leader to guide each individual toward the agency's mutual goal.