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'Dr. Joy' honored by state Assembly

By Clay Lambert [ clay@hmbreview.com ]
Published/Last Modified on Thursday, Mar 04, 2010 - 03:05:32 pm PST

Dr. Josefina Enriquez will be honored Monday in Sacramento as California’s Assembly District 19 Woman of the Year. The Coastside’s “Dr. Joy” will be recognized for more than 20 years of service on the San Mateo County coast – often providing medical treatment free of charge.

Enriquez was chosen for the honor by Assemblyman Jerry Hill.

“Dr. Enriquez is an inspirational leader with a long history of accomplishments,” Hill said in a prepared release. “I am pleased to pay tribute to such a talented and dedicated constituent.”

Enriquez has long been involved in charitable causes on the coast and beyond. She has lent her services to the local RotaCare clinic – even asking for donations to the clinic instead of birthday presents -- and helped to open a free-standing clinic in Mexico. She was never more urgently need than in the last year, when she took on hundreds of patients from the now-defunct Coastside Family Medical Center.

She has long advocated for health insurance for all. During an August town hall on health care reform in Montara, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Jackie Speier, Enriquez said, “When you’re sick and you need help, health care should be a right, not a privilege.”

All who know her are amazed by Enriquez’s stamina. Even at 70 years of age, she keeps a full schedule. When does she plan on retiring?

“When I’m 80. That’s the plan,” she said with a laugh on Thursday. “I still feel like I’m 18. I run and go to church every day.”

The Assembly honor isn’t the only one coming for Enriquez. The Bay Area News Group and Comcast are honoring her as one of their “Hometown Heroes” during ceremonies planned for March 18 in Oakland.

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