CLEARLAKE, Calif. – St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake recognized two doctors with its inaugural Community Leadership Award.

Dr. Kimberly Fordham and Dr. Paula Dhanda were honored for their outstanding service to the community and dedication to improving health outcomes for the underserved.

The two leaders were selected for the first recipients of the Community Leadership Award by St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake’s Medical Executive Committee.

“The dedication of these two outstanding physicians is an inspiration to all of us,” explained Dr. Pari Azari, chief of Medical Staff at St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake and the Medical Director of the Live Well Program. “We are grateful to work alongside them and to recognize their incredible service to our community with these awards.”

Dr. Kimberly Fordham, a family medicine/obstetrics physician at the St. Helena Family Health Center – Middletown, received an Outstanding Community Leader and Community Educator award.

Dr. Fordham trains local students in Sonoma State University’s nurse practitioner program, ensuring that these new primary care providers receive excellent experience.

She also is actively developing a community program focused on high risk obstetrics (pregnant patients) and is currently working on a project to help mothers with addiction to methamphetamine.

Dr. Paula Dhanda, a gynecologist in Kelseyville who performs procedures at St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake, was honored as an Outstanding Mission Driven Leader and Community Leader.

Dr. Dhanda has been a pillar of the health care community in Lake County for more than 25 years. She is involved in improving women’s health and the health of the homeless in local community programs.

She is also the founder of the nonprofit Worldwide Healing Hands, an organization that works around the globe improving women’s health in underserved communities.

Dr. Dhanda frequently travels to countries around the world to train local providers on the newest medical treatments. This training allows the residents in these international communities to get access to advanced treatment options that otherwise would not be available.

St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake has more than 40 affiliated providers in specialty areas ranging from behavioral medicine to urology. They serve Lake County residents at clinics in Lakeport, Kelseyville, Clearlake, Hidden Valley Lake and Middletown. Learn more by calling 707-995-4500.