The Outside In Board of Directors has named Patricia Patrón Executive Director effective July 30, 2018. Founded in 1968, Outside In is a nonprofit organization that provides comprehensive healthcare, transitional housing, job training, and social supports to enable homeless youth and others at the margins to improve their lives. Outside In’s newest initiative is an Eastside expansion that will include a new facility for youth services and clinic operations. Eastside operations are slated to begin in 2019.
Patrón comes to Outside In from Native Health, a federally qualified health center (FQHC) and urban American Indian health center serving the Phoenix metropolitan area. As Chief Operating Officer at Native Health (2015-2018), she oversaw the integration of a system of care including primary care, dental care, behavioral health, psychiatry, recovery, and community health, prevention and wellness programs.
In her previous position as Chief Executive Officer of Family HealthCare in Fargo, ND (2007-2014), Patrón led a major expansion of services including a $15M building project. During her tenure as CEO, she enhanced patient access by adding sites and increased the patient base by more than 30 percent in two years. Her prior role at Family HealthCare (2004-2006) was Director of Patient Support Services. Throughout her career, Patrón has also served on many boards and committees devoted to strengthening community health and eliminating health disparities.
According to Outside In’s Board President, Phil Wu, “We are thrilled that Patricia Patrón will lead Outside In’s next chapter. We were impressed by her strong track record as a mission-driven executive who is known for creating community partnerships, leading sustainable growth, and supporting her team, while always keeping the community and the patients in the forefront.”
Patrón was born and raised in Bogota, Colombia, and received her Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. She received a Bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, and a Nonprofit Executive Certificate from Stanford University’s Executive Program for Nonprofit Leaders.
Patrón will succeed Kathy Oliver, who will retire as Outside In’s Executive Director after 38 years with the agency as Outside In celebrates its 50th anniversary. With Oliver’s leadership, the agency has continually expanded its services to meet changing needs while always maintaining a strong social justice foundation, including a commitment to harm reduction and trauma informed
care.
Today, Outside In is a comprehensive and integrated system of cutting edge and sometimes controversial services that transforms and saves the lives of our community’s most marginalized
people. The agency’s clinic – a federally qualified health center – and youth department provide a broad array of wraparound services to over 11,000 high-risk clients each year, including health care, housing, education and job training, healthy meals, syringe exchange, safety off the streets, tattoo removal, case management, LGBTQ programs, behavioral health, and support for those dealing with addiction.
“I am humbled to serve as Outside In’s next Executive Director,” Patrón said, adding: “I look forward to building on Kathy Oliver’s amazing legacy as a social justice champion and innovator in the community. It will be an honor to work with Outside In’s committed staff, board, leadership team, and community partners.”