About Us
Our History
The Health Collaborative began informally in 1997 when the city’s major healthcare organizations agreed to put aside their competitive business practices to conduct a comprehensive health needs assessment. The evolution in 2000 to an incorporated entity with a long-range strategic plan is in response to the founding members’ interest in improving the health status of the community by working together.
The Health Collaborative has developed into a powerful network of citizens, community organizations and businesses. The result is a more robust, less duplicative, more synergistic approach to solving critical community health needs, while efficiently utilizing resources.
Our Mission
To improve the health status of the community through collaborative means.
Our Vision
Enhance positive community health outcomes by leveraging appropriate resources
Play a leadership role in evaluating, developing, funding, and implementing health initiatives
Increase the number of partners in The Health Collaborative
Decrease duplication of health services in the community and promote coordinated efforts for the best possible community health outcome
Adopt an appropriate community health improvement measurement system
Our Values
Dignity: Respect for the worth of every person, recognition and commitment to the value of diverse individuals and perspectives, and special concern for the poor and underserved.
Integrity: Honesty, justice, and consistency in all relationships.
Excellence: High standards of service and performance.
Compassion: Service in a spirit of empathy, love, and concern.
Stewardship: Wise and just use of talents and resources in a collaborative manner.
Visionaries
“We learned how very easy it is to leave your competitive pressures at the door because at the end of the day, our mission was the same…at the end of the day, our goals were the same…and at the end of the day, it was all about the community.”
“The Health Collaborative is one of the best things that ever happened to San Antonio. That’s because the people really care about the health status of the community and the health status of future generations.”
Board of Directors
Pilar Oates
Community Member
Robert Ferrer
University of Texas Health Science Center, Department of Family and Community Medicine
Oralia Bazaldua, PharmD
Charles L. Knight, MBA
Principle Consultant in Managed Care
Beth Davenport
Baptist Health System
Douglas C. Beach
Faith Community Member
Staff
Elizabeth Lutz
Executive Director
Caroline Bergeron
Director or Research & Evaluation
Fuji Walker
Executive Assistant/Board Liason
Our Staff
Elizabeth Lutz
Executive Director
Ms. Lutz is the Executive Director of The Health Collaborative. She has been with the organization since 2007, serving in multiple roles throughout her tenure. She asserts her passion for community health, equality in service, and collaborative vision to construct sustainable and resilient processes that will directly impact the health status of the community. Ms. Lutz assiduously works in tandem with the Board of Directors and staff to provide the highest standards of collaboration, sharing of resources and best practices to increase the impact of services to the community. Through these strengths, Ms. Lutz has been able to leverage resources to extend the mission of The Health Collaborative into a new caliber of service-oriented initiatives that bring together leaders in the field of community health to promote their joint efforts while fostering a shared vision of prosperity for the citizens of Bexar County, and diminishing duplication of services and the need for competition in the area of community health.
Ms. Lutz background includes over 12 years of business management, administration, and program management, as well as experience in building community infrastructure and partnerships to develop resources for community health improvement.
Fuji Walker
Executive Assistant/Board Liaison
I am a Minister, Wife, Mother and Grandmother. I was born in Ventura, Cal. from parents who were also ministers. My professional background is over 30 years of customer service to include Human Resources Training Coordinator, Customer Service Manager, and Bookkeeping\Accounting. As a former military wife, I worked for Moral, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) where I received a Certificate of Achievement in the Navy Standardized Youth Recreation Leader Training Program. I am currently enrolled in Bethesda School of Ministry to further my education as an Ordained Pastor. I have a passion for people and my community. As a minister I have had the pleasure of speaking at several women’s conferences. I have worked with the youth and volunteered my time, finances and unconditional love and support. Encouraging people and giving them the knowledge and tools to be successful in life is my ministry.
Caroline Bergeron
Director or Research & Evaluation
Caroline D. Bergeron, DrPH, MSc, CHES is a Program Manager at The Health Collaborative and Site Evaluator for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Bridging for Health program. Dr. Bergeron received her doctorate in public health from the Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, from the University of South Carolina in 2015 and joined The Health Collaborative in April 2016. She is primarily responsible for recording and evaluating the development of a health impact investment fund in the community.