Kathleen King, Chief Executive Officer

In her position as Chief Executive Officer of the Trust, Kathleen brings more than 20 years experience in health care foundation management and a broad knowledge of health care issues facing residents of the Pajaro Valley. She has been with the Trust since its inception in 1998, utilizing her prior 13 years experience with the Watsonville Community Hospital Foundation to assist the Trust’s Board of Directors in implementing its health care vision and mission in Watsonville and the greater Pajaro Valley area.

She is a member and past president of the Monterey Bay Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, and has been an active participant with numerous community and collaborative organizations, including the Regional Diabetes Collaborative, the Healthy Kids Collaborative of Santa Cruz County and the Health Improvement Partnership of Santa Cruz County. She has also served as Vice Chair of the Community Chronic Care Network of Santa Cruz County in 2007.  Kathleen and her family have resided in Watsonville since 1981.

Debbie Ukestad, Executive Assistant to the CEO and Trust Board of Directors

Debbie has been in the executive assistant role throughout her career. She has assumed increasing responsibility in a variety of positions including legal assistant, office manager, and customer relations manager. Debbie has lived most of her life in the Pajaro Valley and is dedicated to the mission of the Trust to improve the health of the community. She and her husband Mel have been active in many community projects including a local charitable car club.

Kathleen McCarthy, MPA, Program & Grants Manager

Kathleen comes to the Trust with a strong commitment to social change and the non-profit sector.  Her work over the past seven years for several non-profit and public agencies, including Women in Community Service, Job Corps, and Illinois Maternal & Child Health Coalition, along with community development volunteer work in Belize, Cuba, and on the Navajo Reservation, has strengthened her commitment to improving the lives of underserved populations.

Kathleen currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Santa Cruz Women’s Health Center.  She has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration with an emphasis in Non-Profit Administration from San Francisco State University and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Community Studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Steven Schuray, Director of Finance and Administration

Steven has 9 years of experience working for local nonprofits as a Financial Manager and has served a 2-year term on the Campus Kid's Connection Board of Directors as the Finance Committee Chairperson. He has also operated his own tax preparation and accounting business and been a consultant with the Small Business Development Center. During his consulting years, he wrote a series of business and tax articles for a local newspaper. In his free time, he enjoys surfing, playing guitar and harmonica, and writing.

Diabetes Health Center

Danielle Cook, MS, RD, CNSD

Danielle holds a masters degree in nutrition from San Jose State University (SJSU).  She is also Registered Dietitian as well as a Certified Nutrition Support Dietitian.  She was previously employed with Watsonville Community Hospital and Dominican Hospital as a Clinical Dietitian.  She worked as a Personal Trainer for 9 years and has extensive knowledge of exercise programming.  In addition, Danielle teaches nutrition at the master’s level at SJSU.  Danielle is currently working towards becoming a Certified Diabetes Educator.

Teresa Martinez, Office Manager

Teresa has been with the Diabetes Health Center since 1999. She comes to the DHC with over 20 years of medical office experience. Teresa was selected as Mentor of the Year in 2005 by the Workforce Investment Board and received the distinction of Human Race Hero for 2004 and 2005. Her strong interpersonal skills make her the right person to establish strong community relationships.

C. Aaron Quintana, DHC Program Assistant and Trust Development Assistant

A native a Watsonville, Aaron has been with the Diabetes Health Center since the end of January 2008.  Aaron is a Watsonville High School graduate.  He is currently attending Cabrillo College, where he is a candidate for the Radiologic Technologist Program.  He is working on completing the Associates in Science Degree for Radiologic Technology, and is very motivated towards being involved with the medical health field.

Martha P. Quintana, BSN, RN, Certified Diabetes Educator

Martha has been with the Diabetes Health Center since its inception in 1998. She has 20 years experience in health care as a Registered Nurse, fifteen years as a Staff Nurse at Watsonville Community Hospital. Martha is one of few bilingual/bicultural Certified Diabetes Educators in the Central Coast. She follows American Diabetes Association standards of care for Diabetes Self Management Education. Her understanding of cultural and linguistic barriers to health care information makes her a unique asset of the DHC. Martha is a valued and respected health care professional in the community.

Raquel Ramírez Ruiz, Director

Raquel has over 10 years experience in the health care industry working with the County of Santa Cruz Health Services Agency and a local non-profit agency. She has experience in public health programs ranging from promotion of health care access to tobacco and dental disease prevention. Raquel has a degree in American Studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Jacqueline Thompson, MS, RD, CDE

Jacqueline joined the Diabetes Health Center in 2003.  She has 18 years of experience as a nutrition educator, holds a B.S. and M.S. in Nutrition and is a registered dietitian. She is also a Certified Diabetes Educator, experienced in providing Diabetes Self Management Education and Medical Nutrition Therapy to Latino families, and holds a certificate in Pediatric & Adolescent Weight Management. Jacqueline's knowledge and experience make her a strong addition to the DHC staff.