Little Lake Health Center in Willits has added veteran nurse practitioner Kimberly Silva to its team, the Mendocino Community Health Clinic (MCHC) announced Tuesday. Silva, a Willits native, is board-certified in both family and psychiatric mental health care.
Silva brings more than 40 years of experience in psychiatric and mental health services. She previously spent 17 years at San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center and worked for Humboldt County Behavioral Health.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Dominican University, a master’s in nursing from Samuel Merritt University, and a psychiatric mental health certification from Johns Hopkins University.
Her arrival comes at a critical time for rural counties like Mendocino, which face ongoing shortages of mental health professionals. According to the California Health Care Foundation, the gap is widening as aging clinicians retire faster than new providers enter the field.
Many residents experience long wait times or limited access to care, increasing reliance on emergency departments for mental health support.
MCHC Chief Medical Officer Justin Ebert praised Silva’s community-focused approach. “Her love of community is reflected in the compassion and empathy she brings to every interaction with our patients,” Ebert said. “I especially appreciate her passion for evaluation and treatment of mental health disorders in the setting of whole-person care.”
In her new role, Silva will provide integrated primary and mental health care, including assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health conditions. She emphasizes a “whole-person” approach, addressing the physical, mental, and socioeconomic needs of patients to promote overall well-being.
Related topics
Hospital in the Home Expands Community Care in Mental Health Facilities
Experts Highlight Growing Demand and Effectiveness of OCD Therapy Today
Zuranolone Emerges as First Oral Therapy for Postpartum Depression
