Janet Martinez, above, is a Dignity Health educator for rural families in Yolo County    

January 27, 2025                                                                             

In California's agricultural heartland, dedicated healthcare providers like Janet Martinez and Suzanne Sculley serve as guardian angels to rural families, bringing personalized care to vulnerable communities.

For Martinez, a health educator with Dignity Health, serving migrant workers isn't just a job – it's a calling. She travels to remote migrant centers throughout Yolo County, teaching diabetes management classes in homes long after workers return from the fields. 

"It touches my heart when people say, 'I have diabetes, and I didn't know that better eating could help,'" Martinez shares. 

The impact of this personal touch resonates through the community. Martinez's program reaches more than 200 people annually, but the numbers tell only part of the story. She recalls a 73-year-old man struggling with vision problems and a 17-year-old managing Type 1 diabetes – both finding hope and support through her bilingual education programs. Beyond teaching, Martinez ensures families receive basic needs like food and cleaning supplies, recognizing that health education goes hand-in-hand with addressing the fundamentals.

Suzanne Sculley, above, is a substance abuse navigator for Providence Health patients in Napa Valley

Further west in Napa Valley, Sculley brings the same level of dedication to her role as a substance use navigator for Providence Health. When patients show signs of alcohol or substance-related complications, Sculley becomes their advocate and confidante.

"When they take that step to get sober or clean, they are taking the opportunity to change their lives,” Sculley said. “It's a sacred moment. It means so much to the both of us." 

Through Providence's substance use navigation program, Sculley helps patients access everything from medication-assisted treatment to residential programs. And it's often her presence – steady, compassionate, and unwavering – that makes the difference between relapse and recovery.

Both women exemplify Catholic healthcare's commitment to serving vulnerable populations with respect and personal attention. In communities where healthcare access can be limited by language barriers, work schedules, or stigma, Martinez and Sculley bridge these gaps through genuine care and cultural understanding.

Their work goes beyond traditional medical care, creating lasting relationships that help rural families build healthier lives. In California's vast agricultural valleys, these healthcare angels demonstrate how personalized, compassionate care can help transform communities one family at a time.