Each year at our Summer Solstice Celebration we take the opportunity to honor extraordinary individuals in the community who have contributed to the health and well-being of Marin County’s residents. Meet the 2022 honorees:
Erik Schten, MD, has provided excellent primary care at Marin Community Clinics for more than 20 years. He has also led our Novato Clinic medical teams, fostering collaboration and shepherding specialty care such as dermatology and gerontology into the clinics.
Dr. Schten spent his early years in Ethiopia and Colombia where he learned from a very young age of the vast possibilities, differences, and challenges that life has to offer. These experiences shaped his broader worldview and sparked his passion for helping those in need. In undergrad, Schten studied economics – gaining insight into economic systems such as capitalism, and mathematical methods.
He realized he was able to apply his passion for analyzing systems while helping everyday people through the practice of medicine. Dr. Schten obtained his medical degree with a focus on Epidemiology from the Medical College of Wisconsin and completed his medical residency and fellowship in Geriatrics at the University of California at San Diego Medical Center. While at UCSD he completed a Masters in Public Health at San Diego State University.
Dr. Schten was drawn to Marin Community Clinics due to its mission-driven and compassionate staff. “The people and faces have changed but the character, passion, and commitment to the well-being of the patients and fellow staff has not,” explains Schten.
“Dr. Schten epitomizes what Marin Community Clinics is all about,” said Mitesh Popat, MD, MPH, Chief Executive Officer. “He is a superb clinician, actively encourages patients to take responsibility for their health, and focuses on healthy lifestyles as the key to maintaining and regaining health.”
As Founder and Executive Director of NovatoSpirit, Marian Huntington has made it possible for hundreds of low-income children to engage in activities that improve their physical, mental, and emotional health. As an author and former news reporter, Marian uses her experience and platform to support, empower, and inspire at-risk youth.
Huntington has published work and shared educational insight highlighting topics such as the positive health impacts of inspirational athletic teachers on children, poverty and youth health, immigration, agriculture, and more. For more than a decade, her impactful work has resulted in several awards, including a “Certificate of Recognition” from the California State Legislature; a “Giving Marin Award” from the Marin Independent Journal; a “Woman of Vision” award from Soroptimist International of Novato; and a “Marin Founders Award.”
“I have seen the many ways that children’s lives are enriched by the opportunities that Marian has made possible for them,” said Tracey Hessel, MD, Assoc. Medical Director, Pediatrics. “In addition to health and self-esteem benefits, these experiences provide mentorship and community.”
Get your tickets to the Summer Solstice now to join the celebration!