Touro University California and Northbay Health Awarded $5 Million to Launch the Vallejo BREATHE Initiative
Three-year partnership will train local Community Health Workers, bring clean air resources into high-risk homes, and open a dedicated cardiopulmonary clinic for residents hit hardest by air pollution and wildfire smoke
Touro University California (TUC) and Northbay Health have been awarded $5 million to launch the Vallejo BREATHE Initiative, a three-year effort to reduce the toll that poor air quality and environmental exposures take on the health of Vallejo residents. The funding comes from the Bay Area Air District's Bay REPAIR program, which reinvests penalties from air quality violations back into the communities most affected by pollution.
Vallejo residents carry a disproportionate burden of air pollution-related heart and lung disease, driven by air pollution from refineries, traffic, wildfires and other local sources, as well as cumulative risks tied to poverty and other social determinants of health. The Vallejo BREATHE Initiative responds with an integrated continuum of prevention and care built on three components:
Air Aware Healthcare Workforce.
Recruits and trains Vallejo residents as Community Health Workers (CHWs) who lead environmental health outreach, asthma prevention, and home-based support. No bachelor's degree is required, and half of the CHWs will be bilingual in Spanish and English. Scholarships and mentorship will help participants continue into longer-term healthcare careers.
BREATHE Healthy Homes.
Provides home environmental assessments, asthma education, HEPA air purifiers, and indoor air quality improvements for high-risk households.
BREATHE Cardiopulmonary Care Clinic.
Establishes a dedicated Northbay Health outpatient clinic focused on early diagnosis, treatment, and management of respiratory and cardiovascular conditions linked to environmental exposure.
The initiative prioritizes low-income households on Medi-Cal with children, older adults, and residents living with chronic respiratory conditions.
“The health of our Vallejo community is shaped by so much more than what happens in a doctor's office. It is influenced by the air we breathe, the homes we live in, and the opportunities available to us,” said Dr. Tami Hendriksz, Campus Provost and Dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Touro University California. “Through this partnership, we are bringing together education, healthcare, and community engagement to reflect what it means to be an anchor institution by investing in our community, creating opportunities for residents, and working together to build a healthier future for everyone.”
TUC will lead workforce development, community health education, environmental health interventions, and new field training opportunities for its public health students, including those pursuing dual degrees alongside clinical programs. Dr. Trina Mackie, Associate Professor in TUC's Public Health Program, will serve as TUC's Co-Principal Investigator.
“This initiative is where environmental justice, real community need, and the strength of our public health program come together,” said Dr. Mackie. “We want to increase access to healthcare careers for Vallejo residents, and they will go on to protect the health of their own families and neighbors. Our students will learn alongside them, which is exactly the kind of community-based training Touro was built to provide.”
“For families managing asthma and other heart and lung conditions, access to the right resources and care can make a meaningful difference. Through this partnership, we can help Vallejo residents identify health risks earlier, improve the air quality in their homes, and connect them with specialized care close to home,” said Dr. Seth Kaufman, Chief Quality Officer, Northbay Health. “By bringing these resources and services together, we can make a lasting difference in the health of our community.”
The Vallejo BREATHE Initiative reflects a shared commitment by TUC and Northbay Health to partnerships that bring education, healthcare, and community service together to improve the health and well-being of the communities they serve.
About Touro University California
Touro University California is a Jewish nonprofit, independent institution of higher learning founded in 1997 on Judaic values. The University, home to nearly 1,400 students, has professional programs in osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, physician assistant studies, public health, nursing, diagnostic medical sonography and radiologic technology. Faculty, staff and students have a powerful commitment to academic excellence, evidence-based professional practice, inter-professional collaboration, and active engagement with a global community. As an anchor institution for health, education, and innovation, TUC works collaboratively with community, healthcare, educational, and industry partners to address critical regional needs and create lasting impact. To learn more, visit www.tu.edu.
About Northbay Health
As part of a nonprofit, community-based health system, Northbay Health continues to build on more than 65 years of service to residents of Solano, Napa, and Yolo counties. For more information about Northbay Health and its community initiatives, visit http://northbay.org/.
About the Bay REPAIR Program
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District's Bay Reinvesting Penalties for Air Improvement and Resilience (Bay REPAIR) program funds community-led projects through its Local Community Benefits Fund, which directs a portion of penalties from air quality violations back into impacted communities. Funded projects must reduce air pollution and improve health outcomes or build economic resilience. The Vallejo BREATHE Initiative was selected in the program's first round of grants.