Leading Providence Sonoma County into a new ear of heath care 

One might say that for Scott Ciesielski, chief administrative officer for Providence Sonoma County, caring for others is in his blood. Scott shares the health care career path with his brother, a nurse, and his sister, a physician.

“My own family’s dedication to health care fits right in here in Sonoma County,” Scott says. “There is a strong multigenerational commitment to community health care, which is woven into the local fabric. It’s really an incredible thing to witness.”

As Providence Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital celebrates its 75th anniversary, Scott is particularly excited about steering the institution into its next chapter. Working alongside Northern California Chief Executive Garry Olney, he has outlined several key initiatives that will shape the future of health care north of the Golden Gate Bridge.

At the forefront of these initiatives is to build on our position as the most advanced care provider between Marin County and the Oregon border. Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital is pioneering new interventions and technologies in cardiology, trauma, neurosciences and oncology, offering critical improvements in quality of life and survival rates for patients throughout Northern California.

Understanding the community’s need for accessible, coordinated health care, Scott is spearheading efforts to create a unified structure across Sonoma County and Northern California. This integration, developed in close collaboration with Providence Medical Group providers, aims to ensure patients receive appropriate care at the right time and location.

To address the nationwide physician shortage, which particularly affects rural communities like Sonoma County, Scott and his team are implementing innovative recruitment strategies. A key component of this effort is the Destination Sonoma program, supported by local philanthropists, which promises to bring fresh medical talent to the region.

“In Sonoma County, you find the perfect blend of professional opportunity and personal fulfillment,” Scott says. “We have cutting-edge medical facilities and complex cases that challenge and engage physicians, combined with the incredible quality of life that comes with living in wine country. When physicians visit, they see not just a place to work, but a community where they can put down roots and make a lasting impact on people’s lives.”