Each June, we recognize Community Health Improvement Week. This is a time to thank the people and groups who work every day to care for our community.
At Barton, we are proud to serve our neighbors in Lake Tahoe. Every three years, we ask our community to share their biggest health concerns through a Community Health Needs Assessment. The results are then shared with local partners, helping guide a collaborative approach to improving our community’s health.
Year after year, the same three priorities rise to the top: mental health, substance use, and access to care. These challenges are complex, but through strong partnerships across our region, meaningful progress is being made.
Supporting Mental Health Together
Access to mental and behavioral health care can be difficult, but our community is working together to expand support and respond more effectively when people need help most.
One important resource is El Dorado County’s crisis services, which offer 24/7 access to trained staff. People can connect by phone or receive support in person. Crisis staff can respond to hospitals, like Barton, to assess individuals after they are medically cleared. They work with care teams and loved ones to decide the safest and most helpful next step. This can include referrals, crisis support, and ongoing care options.
Addressing Substance Use Through Teamwork
Substance use impacts many individuals and families across our community, and addressing it requires a coordinated, compassionate approach.
At Barton, we’ve expanded our Substance Use Navigator team, strengthening our ability to connect patients with immediate support and ongoing recovery services. These navigators work directly with patients, helping them access treatment, counseling, and community resources tailored to their needs.
In 2025, Barton was recognized for a second year in a row on California’s Opioid Care Honor Roll for Superior Performance. This honor reflects strong work in safe prescribing, identifying substance use disorders, and using proven care practices.
Improving Access to Care
Access to care is not just about having doctors — it’s also about being able to get there. That’s why organizations like Lake Link are so important. Their expanded microtransit
service helps residents travel around the community, including to and from medical appointments, work, and grocery stores. This makes it easier for people to get the care and help they need.
In fact, what started as a permitting requirement for the Tahoe Blue Events Center, Lake Link will expand to cover the entire City of South Lake Tahoe to Zephyr Cove and the top of Kingsbury Grade starting this summer.
Moving Forward Together
We are especially proud to collaborate with a wide network of organizations, agencies, and groups who share a commitment to improving health in Lake Tahoe. By working together, we can better support our community.
Chris Proctor is the Director of Community Benefit with Barton Health. To learn more about Barton Health’s Community Health Needs Assessments, visit BartonHealth.org.