LARKSPUR, Calif., May 27, 2026 —By the Bay Health has been named a 2026 Golden Bell Honoree by the Marin County Office of Education (MCOE) and the Marin County School Boards Association (MCSBA) in recognition of its Pathways to Care Careers initiative, an innovative workforce development program creating meaningful educational and career pathways for the next generation of healthcare professionals.
The award recognizes By the Bay Health’s longstanding partnership with Marin County schools and its commitment to expanding access to healthcare career education for high school and college students.
A key component of the initiative is the Introduction to the World of Healthcare course at San Marin High School. Funded by private donations to By the Bay Health, the course is taught by a By the Bay Health clinician and clinical guest lecturers through a partnership with the Marin County Office of Education. Students receive hands-on exposure to medical terminology, body systems, and foundational clinical skills while learning about a broad range of healthcare careers.
The program also creates direct pathways into the workforce through paid summer internships. This summer, By the Bay Health will host 15 high school interns from San Marin High School at its Larkspur location.
“By the Bay Health exemplifies what it means to be a true community partner,” said John A. Carroll, Marin County Superintendent of Schools. “Their investment in Marin County students through this innovative career pathway program and their industry leadership on addressing the healthcare workforce shortage is making a profound impact on our schools and helping prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals.”
“We are deeply honored to receive this recognition from the Marin County Office of Education,” said Skelly Wingard, CEO of By the Bay Health. “At By the Bay Health, we believe in investing in the future of healthcare by supporting students with meaningful learning opportunities, mentorship and real-world experience. We are proud to partner with Marin County schools to help inspire and prepare the next generation of compassionate healthcare professionals.”
The Golden Bell Awards recognize outstanding programs and community partnerships that support excellence and innovation in education throughout Marin County.
For more information on the Pathways to Care Careers program, please contact Alexis Oberlander at pathways@bythebayhealth.org
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About By the Bay Health
By the Bay Health is a progressive and innovative leader delivering home-based hospice, skilled home health care, palliative care, grief support, and pediatric care in all nine counties of the San Francisco Bay Area. In January 2024, By the Bay Health merged with Mission Hospice & Home Care and Hope Hospice to extend services into South Bay and East Bay, becoming the largest independent nonprofit hospice organization in Northern California. For more information visit www.bythebayhealth.org
Media contact:
Caroline Kawashima
Director, Marketing & Communications
ckawashima@bythebayhealth.org
(415) 720.8998