Outstanding MRC Unit Coordinator - Cayetana Gomez de Soler

Cayetana Gomez de Soler is the MRC Coordinator of Lane County’s dreams. She came into the role with no medical and little volunteer management background and has dedicated herself to being the absolute best and most effective coordinator she can be, which is no small feat for a brand-new MRC launched in the most risk-averse county in the country. Every step to become an active, functioning MRC has been a challenge for our small but mighty team, and Caye is the heart without which none of it would be possible. She creates personal connections with each volunteer, taking the time to meet them and explain in person what joining our MRC entails. She brought to the job the extended social capital and networks she developed as part of the COVID response team, with Lane County’s most underserved populations and the organizations that serve them, and her perseverance and dedication have made our MRC a deeply trusted resource across the county. Finally, at her own personal expense and time, she threw herself into attaining her EMT-B license last fall, so that she could understand the medical ins and outs of the MRC. Caye was able to deploy with a SERV-OR medical team in April to serve people displaced by flooding in Harney County and provide patient care with that new license. My admiration for Caye has no limits and she deserves recognition for the myriad ways she goes well above and beyond what is required of her, it has been the keystone to our MRC’s growth and success.  Thank you Caye!

Sarah Swofford, Program Supervisor Public Health Reserve Corps

Cayetana "Caye" Gomez de Soler serves as co-coordinator for the Lane County Public Health Reserve Corps. In that role, her energy, compassion, and humor shine. Since stepping into her leadership role, she’s embraced every opportunity to grow, connect, and support her volunteers. Whether attending national conferences or guiding her unit through day-to-day growth and development, Caye brings warmth and excellence. Her work strengthens not only Lane County, but the entire Oregon MRC Network.

Sophie Flora-DeSart, SERV-OR Volunteer Manager and MRC State Coordinator

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Honorable Mention

Velda Handler - Nehalem Bay MRC