Contact: Heidi James
hjames@marinclinic.org
(415) 798.3149
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MARIN COMMUNITY CLINICS CELEBRATES 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF SUMMER SOLSTICE, HONORS EVENT FOUNDER SUSAN ADAMS
Former Marin County Supervisor Susan Adams and retired cardiologist David Sperling to receive 2026 Community Health Champion Awards
NOVATO, Calif. — Marin Community Clinics (MCC) will celebrate the 20th Annual Summer Solstice Celebration on June 25 by honoring former Marin County Supervisor
Susan L. Adams, PhD, RN, NP, founder of the event, and retired cardiologist
David Sperling, MD, for their lasting contributions to healthcare in Marin County.
Held at the Bill & Adele Jonas Center in Novato, the milestone event marks two decades of community support for healthcare access and recognizes two individuals whose leadership and service have helped improve the lives of thousands of Marin County residents.
Founded by Adams in 2002, Summer Solstice reflects her enduring commitment to ensuring that every Marin resident has access to quality healthcare. The event has since become Marin Community Clinics’ signature annual fundraiser and one of the county’s most meaningful traditions supporting community health.
Today, Marin Community Clinics serves more than
38,000 residents annually—approximately
one in six Marin County residents—through primary medical, dental, specialty, and patient support services.
"This celebration reflects what is possible when a community comes together around a shared commitment to health and well-being," said
Brenda Shipp, BA, MBA, CHCO, OHCC, Chief Executive Officer of Marin Community Clinics.
"For over twenty years, Summer Solstice has helped ensure that individuals and families throughout Marin County can access the care they need to live healthier lives."
Honoring the Founder
A registered nurse, public health advocate, and Marin County Supervisor from 2002 to 2014,
Susan L. Adams, PhD, RN, NP has spent decades advancing healthcare access throughout Marin County and beyond.
Her leadership helped expand healthcare coverage for children, strengthen county health programs, support the development of the Marin Health and Wellness Campus, and improve access to care for residents throughout Marin County. Nationally, she served as Chair of the Medicaid Committee for the National Association of Counties, helping shape healthcare policy and expand access to care across the country.
"It is especially meaningful to honor the person who envisioned Summer Solstice over twenty years ago," said Shipp.
"Susan's commitment to improving healthcare access has left a lasting mark on our community."
Recognizing a Legacy of Service
MCC will also honor
David Sperling, MD, a retired cardiologist who served at Marin Community Clinics from 2019 through 2025.
During his six years of service, Dr. Sperling helped secure funding to expand cardiovascular diagnostic services for uninsured patients, supported provider education, strengthened physician recruitment efforts, and ensured continuity of specialty care for patients with complex cardiac conditions.
His contributions helped expand access to critical cardiac services for patients who otherwise may have faced significant obstacles to receiving care.
Supporting Access to Essential Medications
This year's Fund-A-Need will support efforts to improve patient access to pharmacy services, connecting hundreds of patients to affordable medications and ongoing medication support. MCC plans to open an onsite pharmacy at its Novato North Clinic in 2026, with expansion to San Rafael planned for 2027.
For many patients, receiving a prescription is only the first step. Transportation challenges, language barriers, and financial hardship can make it difficult to obtain needed medications. A working parent may have to miss work to pick up a prescription, while an older adult without reliable transportation may delay treatment—or go without medication altogether.
Your support of Summer Solstice will help remove these barriers to care. Funds raised will provide access to affordable medications, pharmacy services, care coordination, and patient education, making it easier for individuals to follow treatment plans and manage chronic conditions. Together, we can help ensure that essential medications—and the health, stability, and peace of mind they provide—are within reach for every patient who needs them.
Twenty Years of Community Impact
Since assuming stewardship of Summer Solstice, Marin Community Clinics has continued the event's mission of bringing together community members, healthcare advocates, donors, and local business leaders in support of quality healthcare for all. In 2025 alone, MCC provided more than
236,000 patient visits across Marin County.
Community members are invited to join the celebration and support Marin Community Clinics' mission of ensuring healthcare remains accessible to all. Purchase your tickets or make a donation to support Marin Community Clinics' mission of providing quality healthcare to those who need it most:
https://bit.ly/43OlW7q.
About Marin Community Clinics
Marin Community Clinics is a nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center providing primary medical, dental, and specialty care regardless of a patient's ability to pay. Since 1972, MCC has worked to improve the health and well-being of Marin County residents through compassionate, community-centered care. Learn more at
www.marinclinic.org.
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Contact: Heidi James
