(SALINAS, Calif., Feb. 27, 2024) -- On Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, upon motion of Supervisor Christopher Lopez, District 3, the County of Monterey Board of Supervisors passed and adopted a resolution honoring Fernando R. Elizondo, EdD, upon completing his 10-year term as a member of the Natividad Board of Trustees and his lifetime of service for the people of Monterey County.

“I’ve had the honor of serving alongside Dr. Fernando Elizondo on the Natividad Board of Trustees for the last five years,” Supervisor Lopez said. “The Monterey County Board of Supervisors acknowledge Dr. Elizondo’s dedicated service to Monterey County. We appreciate his steadfast commitment to inspiring healthy lives through his work at Natividad.”

Dr. Elizondo was appointed to the Natividad Board of Trustees in 2013 and has served with distinction as Vice Chairperson and twice as Chairperson. During his 10 years on the board, he has been instrumental in overseeing Natividad’s mission of providing high-quality health care for Monterey County.

Dr. Elizondo received his doctorate in education from the University of Southern California, a master’s degree from Baylor University, and a bachelor’s degree from Humboldt State University. He brought 38 years of education experience to his role on the board, including as a classroom teacher, school site principal, and central office administrator, which included 14 years as Superintendent of Schools and eight years at Salinas Union High School District.

During his nearly four-decade career in education, Dr. Elizondo pioneered championing bilingual education in California as a founding member and executive director of the California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators. There, he mentored younger administrators to carry on the mantle. Dr. Elizondo also previously served on the American Association of School Administrators Governing Board and of the Board of Directors for the Association of California School Administrators.

Dr. Elizondo’s service in the Monterey County community is extensive. He was a member of the Board of Directors for the Monterey County Read to Me Project, which helps underserved children achieve kindergarten readiness and a lifetime of literacy. Dr. Elizondo was previously Commissioner of the Monterey County Community Action Commission, committed to reducing poverty in our community by funding a network of local providers who specialize in addressing specific barriers to achieving self-sufficiency. He was a Marina Redevelopment Agency Successor Oversight Board member. Dr. Elizondo is currently a docent involved in school outreach with the Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, where he leads guided trail walks and coordinates elementary and high school trips to the park.

“We are grateful to Dr. Elizondo for his unwavering commitment and leadership over the past decade at Natividad,” said Natividad CEO Dr. Chad Harris. “Dr. Elizondo’s lifetime of service, mentoring and community action inspires us all.”

About Natividad

Natividad is a hospital and trauma center providing compassionate high-quality health care to everyone, regardless of ability to pay. Located in Salinas, Calif., Natividad is a public health care system offering a wide range of inpatient, outpatient, emergency, diagnostic and specialty medical care for adults and children. Founded in 1886, the 172-bed medical center has more than 11,000 admissions and 59,000 emergency visits annually. Home to the area's only Level II Trauma Center, the hospital's specialized personnel, equipment and services provide a vital local community service that saves lives and keeps patients close to home. Natividad's Baby-Friendly® facility delivers nearly 2,300 babies every year and is affiliated with UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals. It also operates an accredited Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, giving the tiniest and most fragile babies the best chance for a healthy start. Through its UCSF-affiliated Natividad Family Medicine Residency, Natividad is the only teaching hospital on the Central Coast. For more information, please call (831) 755-4111 or visit www.natividad.com.