​What is your favorite indoor/outdoor activity? 

• Indoors, I love reading, Bible Study groups (God is the rock on which I stand!), & baking - especially experimenting with new recipes or creating my own versions. Outdoors, I have always liked tennis and the presence of nature - scenic walks are the best!

If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose? 

• I have never thought about this one, but if I did, it would probably be someone like Jane Eyre. We are all on a journey in life and regardless of our beginnings, our current circumstances, or where we are going, we must remain strong and keep moving forward, learning from our past, but not staying there. Never give up!

What is your favorite thing about living in Texas? 

• So many things about the great BIG state of Texas! Most of all, my family lives here. And, I love seeing the Bluebonnets and wildflowers in the Spring, especially along the highways (Thanks, Lady Bird Johnson!). Plus, I have found that it really is a friendly state! The tacos and BBQ are not bad either! ha ha

What is one thing about you that surprises people?

• That I did not know English when I started school.
  

Why do you care about increasing access to care for Ag workers & their families? 

• Because they deserve it as much as anyone else! Our Ag Workers do the hardest job in putting food on our tables, many times at the expense of their own sacrifices, such as their health and distance from their families. No matter where they migrate from or how they got here, they too are human and should be treated with the same respect as everyone else. They do not get enough positive recognition for all they do. 
  

Read Sylvia's Bio Here

What is your favorite indoor/outdoor activity? 

• I enjoy target practice at an indoor/outdoor gun range, reading a good book, and playing board games with my kids/grandkids. Outdoors I enjoy swimming, gardening, and I enjoy going out to Austin’s Hike and Bike Trails.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose? 

• Hermione Granger from Harry Potter!

What is your favorite thing about living in Texas? 

• Everything’s BIGGER in TEXAS! My familia and good friends live here; I love the food, the music, and a good Texas cocktail!

What is one thing about you that surprises people? 

• That I have seven grandchildren and they’ve stolen my heart!

Why do you care about increasing access to care for Ag workers & their families? 

• I care because it’s the humanitarian thing to do.

Read Janie's bio here.
     

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 1, 2018
 
MEDIA CONTACT:
Lisa Mendoza Miller 512-3125451 Miller@ncfh.org
 
NATIONAL CENTER FOR FARMWORKER HEALTH ANNOUNCES UPCOMING CHANGE IN
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
 
Buda, TX:  The National Center for Farmworker Health (NCFH), a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving the health of agricultural workers nationwide, announced that Sylvia Partida, MA, has been selected to assume the position of President and CEO of NCFH, following the retirement of Bobbi Ryder at the end of this year. Ms. Partida has served as the organization’s Chief Operating Officer since 2000.

Sylvia is highly qualified to succeed Ms. Ryder.  As COO, she has contributed significantly to the stability of NCFH, and helped implement programmatic and operational improvements across the organization. She holds degrees in Education (BA, University of Texas at San Antonio, TX) and Clinical Psychology (MA, St. Mary’s University, TX). 

Bobbi joined NCFH in 1986, after moving her family from SW Michigan where she ran health centers for the Migrant and Rural Community Health Center Association (now InterCare Community Health). Bobbi is nationally recognized both for her deep knowledge of health center administration and her incomparable compassion for agricultural workers, sparked by early personal experiences and reflected in her 50-year career in migrant service that includes leadership positions in day care, Head Start, education and health.

“Bobbi has had an exemplary career and has provided extraordinary leadership to NCFH,” said Sandra Leal, PharmD, MPH, the Chair of the organization’s Board of Directors. “Likewise, Sylvia has demonstrated the highest level of commitment and dedication to assuring access to high-quality care for our nation’s migratory and seasonal agricultural workers. We have the utmost confidence in Sylvia and her ability to lead the organization in the coming years.”

Ms. Partida will take the helm of the organization on January 1, 2019. 
 
ABOUT NCFH
The National Center for Farmworker Health is a private, not for profit health care organization, located in Buda TX. It was founded in 1975 by Dan Cardenas, who led the organization until 1985 when he accepted a position in Washington DC with the National Association of Community Health Centers. The Mission of NCFH is to improve the health status of agricultural worker families through the provision of innovative training, technical assistance and information services to Migrant and Community Health Centers.  Primary funding is provided by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to support the nation-wide network of Community Health Centers, including 179 of which are strategically located to serve migratory and seasonal agricultural workers and their families. National priorities for both NCFH and HRSA include the provision of services to increase access to quality care, improve health outcomes (with a focus on diabetes prevention and management), and overcome barriers to optimal health for the population that works so hard to put food on our tables.