Community health leader appointed to medical board
Gwen Rowe-Lee Sykes will serve on board that oversees three hospitals in Alameda County
By Rebecca Vesely, STAFF WRITER, Oakland Tribune
Article Last Updated: Wednesday, March 31, 2004 - 3:28:27 AM PST

Gwen Rowe-Lee Sykes, a longtime advocate in community health care, was appointed to the Alameda County Medical Center Board of Trustees Tuesday.

Sykes is executive director of the Bay Area Consortium for Quality Health Care, an Oakland nonprofit that provides HIV/AIDS counseling, primary and mental health care and youth programs to underserved populations.

Sykes is also a lecturer at California State University, Hayward in research methodology and human behavior.

Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson, who nominated Sykes for the unpaid position, said she brings extensive experience in health services administration.

"She has the ability to look at things from a wide view," Carson said. "She understands the financial aspects of community-based organizations."

Sykes has served on many community boards. From 1999 to 2003, she chaired the Alameda/Contra Costa County HIV/AIDS Planning Council and was board member of the Berkeley Women's Health Center from 1988 to 1999.

She has a doctorate in public health and a master's degree in social work from the University of California, Berkeley.

Her appointment brings the total number of medical center trustees to seven. Sykes is filling a vacancy left when five board members resigned last fall.

The Board of Trustees oversees three hospitals -- Highland and Fairmont Hospitals and John George Psychiatric Pavilion -- and three free-standing clinics -- Newark and Hayward Health Centers and Eastmont Wellness Center in Oakland.

Contact Rebecca Vesely at rvesely@angnewspapers.com.