03/10/2026
SBNC Staff Spotlight: Meet Yessenia Marroquin, Chief Operations Officer
My History with SBNC: My journey with Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics began more than 26 years ago while I was a biology student at UCSB. A professor shared a call for Spanish-speaking volunteers at SBNC’s Carrillo Clinic, and I took two buses from campus to volunteer as a medical translator. That opportunity resonated deeply with me. As a child immigrant from El Salvador, I often accompanied my mother to doctor’s appointments because she couldn’t understand what providers were saying, I was her translator, her advocate, and her comfort. Volunteering at SBNC allowed me to do the same for families in our community who were facing the same barriers my family once faced. What started as volunteering quickly became a lifelong commitment. Over the years, I’ve grown alongside SBNC—from supporting patients on the front lines to serving in leadership roles—and today, as Chief Operating Officer, I’m honored to help steward an organization that has shaped my life and continues to transform our community.
Why I Love SBNC: I love SBNC because we exist for people who might otherwise fall through the cracks of our healthcare system. For many patients, we are not just a clinic, we are a trusted, safe place to turn during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. I see my own family’s story reflected in the families we serve every day. I am deeply proud of our commitment to expanding access to care, focusing on prevention, and delivering culturally responsive services that treat each patient as a whole person—addressing physical, behavioral, and social needs. Together, our team works to ensure patients feel seen, supported, and cared for at every step. Knowing that this work changes, and sometimes saves, lives is what fills my heart and drives me to continue serving SBNC.
