Episode 09 - Sharon Chamberlain (Northern Nevada Hopes)

Sharon Chamberlain has served as the Chief Executive Officer at Northern Nevada HOPES since August 2011. Under Sharon’s leadership, HOPES has undergone a tremendous expansion, from a small HIV service organization serving 600 patients, to a growing community health center that serves over 10,000 men, women, and children in Northern Nevada. Sharon oversaw the construction and opening of HOPES' new 38,000 sq. ft. integrated care facility – The Stacie Mathewson Community Wellness Center – which opened in 2016. Since then, HOPES has expanded its services to include pediatric primary care, x-ray and diagnostics, legal services, financial empowerment coaching, as well as having greatly expanded behavioral health, adult primary care, transportation, and medication delivery services. Prior to serving as CEO of HOPES, Sharon spent the past 20 years serving the HIV/AIDS community. In Santa Monica, California, she spent five years as Executive Director of Common Ground, during which time she was appointed County Commissioner on HIV by the L.A. Board of Supervisors. Before her time in Southern California, Sharon served as Assistant Executive Director for over five years at the HIV Alliance in Eugene, Oregon. Her professional focus on HIV prevention and care services in Oregon resulted in the establishment of the largest needle exchange in the state, the creation of a dental clinic for low income HIV-positive people, and the implementation of rapid testing in non-clinical settings. About HOPES Northern Nevada HOPES is a nonprofit community health center located in downtown Reno, Nevada. HOPES provides integrated medical and wellness services, with a focus on lowering barriers to care for underserved communities. Services offered include adult and pediatric primary care, chronic disease management, behavioral health counseling, substance use counseling, case management, nutrition, pharmacy, transportation, and community outreach and education. HOPES’ welcoming and innovative one-stop-shop healthcare model improves access to care for thousands of individuals and families in in northern Nevada.