Patricia “Pat” Kendall, a beloved figure in Marin County’s health care community, passed away in San Rafael on August 7. She fought cancer for seven years with remarkable courage.
Kendall led Kaiser Permanente San Rafael Medical Center for decades. She transformed local emergency medicine, launched vital community health projects, and inspired professionals across San Rafael, Novato, Mill Valley, and beyond.
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Her passing is a tremendous loss. Kendall’s work changed how health care and education connect in Marin County.
A Lifelong Dedication to Emergency Medicine
Pat Kendall started out as an emergency room nurse. Later, she took on key administrative roles at Kaiser Permanente San Rafael.
In these positions, she made a lasting impact on the county’s health care landscape. Honestly, few could match her drive or her vision.
Innovations in Paramedic and Emergency Response
She helped develop San Rafael’s paramedic program early on. Kendall worked tirelessly to improve communication between first responders in places like San Anselmo and Fairfax and local hospital emergency departments.
Because of her efforts, emergency medical services in Marin County became more efficient and effective. People noticed the difference.
Leadership Beyond the Hospital Walls
Kendall’s influence didn’t stop at Kaiser Permanente’s campus in San Rafael. She served for years on Marin County’s emergency medical care committee.
There, she shaped countywide health policy. Residents from Sausalito to Novato gained better access to high-quality emergency care thanks to her work.
The Healthy Marin Partnership
Kendall co-founded and chaired the Healthy Marin Partnership. She pushed for strategies to eliminate health inequities across Marin County.
Her efforts improved education, preventative care, and health outcomes for underserved communities. Marin became known for its forward-thinking public health initiatives, and honestly, she deserves a lot of credit for that.
Building Community Connections
Pat Kendall saw health care as a shared responsibility. She built strong relationships with local organizations, affecting Marin’s economy, education, and human services.
Service to Local Organizations
She took on roles in many organizations across Marin County:
- San Rafael Chamber of Commerce
- Marin Economic Forum
- North Bay Leadership Council
- Lifehouse
- By the Bay Health
Through these partnerships, Kendall helped boost both health and economic vitality in communities from Larkspur to Corte Madera.
Champion for Health Education
Kendall believed Marin’s health care future depended on young professionals. She helped create Marin’s Medical Assisting training program.
This program gave hundreds of high school students—many from San Rafael, Novato, and Mill Valley—real experience in the medical field. The result? A new generation of nurses, medical assistants, and health care leaders found their start.
Mentorship and Inspiration
Former students often remembered her encouragement. She made a career in health care feel possible for so many.
For a lot of people, Kendall’s mentorship shaped their career paths and commitment to serving the community. That’s not something you see every day.
Recognition and Lasting Legacy
Kendall never sought the spotlight, but the community noticed her impact. In 2013, she was named San Rafael’s Citizen of the Year, which speaks volumes about her civic dedication.
In 2020, she joined the Marin Women’s Hall of Fame. She’s right up there with the county’s most influential leaders—and she absolutely earned it.
An Enduring Impact
People who worked with Pat Kendall always mention her humility and quiet power. She built a “people-centered culture” wherever she showed up, which honestly isn’t something you see every day.
Her calm strength and real knack for listening made a difference. You could feel her dedication ripple out across San Rafael and all of Marin County.
From Bolinas to Tiburon, folks have seen her vision in action—a healthier, more connected community. Even though she’s gone, her work keeps nudging local leaders to think about health care with more compassion and a sense of togetherness.
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Here is the source article for this story: Editorial: Pat Kendall was a force for health care in Marin
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