2017 Outstanding Service to Youth

There are many ingredients that make up a healthy child, but nobody knows them better than a pediatrician. And Dr. Catherine Vigran is among the best our community has ever seen.

Dr. Vigran grew up near Sacramento, went off to UC Santa Cruz and met and eventually married Tom Vigran. They both earned medical degrees and both joined Kaiser Permanente. Catherine arrived here in 1991 when the Rancho Cordova clinic was opened. She has spent the last quarter century taking care of our kids – some of them children of her original patients.

What has moved us is her long record of caring for children beyond the doctor’s office.

Dr. Vigran is the champion of “Reach Out and Read,” which provides books to patients at well baby exams, a volunteer reader program, and much more.  

Despite the busy schedule of a physician, Dr. Vigran has been active in our community.  

She is a valued member of the Folsom Cordova Unified School District’s Health Advisory Committee as well as the Sacramento First Five Advisory Committee. She even served a term on the Rancho Cordova Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Linda Burkholder from Folsom Cordova has watched Dr. Vigran in action for many years and nominated her for this award.  

“Like the small town doctors of days gone by, Dr. Vigran has quietly and inconspicuously woven herself into the fabric of our Rancho Cordova community,” she said.

Linda noted how Dr. Vigran, who is fluent in Spanish, and nurse Carrie Beale have conducted healthy cooking demonstrations for Spanish-speaking families, giving them ways to improve their health while celebrating their culture. 

Dr. Vigran has advocated within Kaiser to secure a grant which has, for more than six years, provided core funding to the school district’s summer camp program to assure healthy eating and fun activities when school is not in session. 

Dr. Vigran has announced her plans to retire at the end of this month. No fancy retirement dinner is planned. But there will be a child-focused event with balloon animals and face painting.  

Doc, we cannot let you go without pausing to honor the contributions you have made over the years to our children and their families. You are appreciated.  

Please join me in recognizing Dr. Catherine Vigran for Outstanding Service to Youth.