At left, Sutter Health’s Greater Sacramento Division President Rachael McKinney is shown graduating from kindergarten through the Head Start program. At right, she receives her Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives credential.
Children hold the promise of tomorrow — as future entrepreneurs, educators, caregivers and changemakers. For Rachael McKinney, president of Sutter Health’s Greater Sacramento Division, the foundation of that promise began with Head Start. This nationally recognized, locally funded program provides vital early learning, health services and family support to children from birth to age 5. McKinney’s story is a powerful testament to how early investment in children’s well-being can shape not only individual lives, but entire communities.
Rachael McKinney’s Story
For McKinney, Head Start was much more than a program; it was the safe and reliable place she could go to learn and grow. Raised by a single mom and a village of extended family and friends, McKinney found in Head Start a safe, nurturing environment that laid the foundation for her success. That support was everything for her mom. It gave her peace of mind and allowed her to prioritize completing her associate’s degree, while McKinney gained the tools to thrive in kindergarten and beyond.
McKinney recalls the impact: nutritious meals, playtime, emotional and social education and access to healthcare, including regular checkups, blood pressure screenings and eye exams. She remembers her teacher, whose kindness and dedication inspired McKinney to dream of becoming a teacher herself. Though her path led her to another “helping profession” in healthcare, that teacher would undoubtedly be proud of the lifelong learner and compassionate leader McKinney has become.
“I vividly remember my graduation,” McKinney shares. “Walking across the wooden bridge with my cardboard cap and paper diploma. Looking back, I’m confident Head Start was a life saver for my mom. It allowed her to set us up for success, and it did the same for me.
“Programs like Head Start play a vital role in supporting families and building healthier communities. That’s why I’m proud to be part of a healthcare system that invests in early education and community health, because when we support families from the start, we help build a stronger, healthier future for everyone.”
Head Start and Sutter Health: A Full Circle Connection
When McKinney had the opportunity to select Head Start as a recipient of support, it was a full-circle moment — a chance to give back to an organization that had given so much to her.
Previously the American Heart Association’s local Go Red campaign chair, McKinney nominated Sutter Health Chief Nurse Officer Kat Holmes for the American Heart Association’s Woman of Impact campaign. Together, they championed a cause that holds deep personal significance for them both.
While McKinney’s journey began with early childhood support, Holmes’ connection to this mission is rooted in her own powerful story, one that continues to inspire her work and advocacy.
Kat Holmes’ Story
In 2024, Holmes led a fundraising campaign for the American Heart Association, earning the 2025 National Go Red for Women, Woman of Impact award. Holmes is a former open-heart surgical nurse and longtime AHA supporter, and McKinney chose Head Start of Yolo County as the beneficiary. Together, they directed funds toward blood pressure monitors and heart health resources for Yolo County families.
The cause is also deeply personal to Holmes. Her sister-in-law died of a heart attack at 40, and months later, her cousin was diagnosed with three-vessel disease. These life events underscored the urgency of early detection and preventative care — especially for women, who are often misdiagnosed or unaware of their risk.
For families experiencing food insecurity or facing systemic barriers, accessing preventative care can be a significant challenge. The burden of navigating limited resources — often while juggling work, caregiving, and other responsibilities — makes early support and intervention all the more critical.
“By supporting organizations like Head Start and the American Heart Association, we’re connecting two resources that address foundational health needs,” said Sutter’s Chief Nurse Executive Kat Holmes. “It’s part of Sutter Health’s commitment to supporting organizations and causes that close healthcare gaps and improve wellness for individuals and families across our communities.”
“Bridging the gap between early education and preventive care helps build stronger, healthier communities,” said Holmes. “By supporting organizations like Head Start and the American Heart Association, we’re connecting two resources that address foundational health needs. It’s part of Sutter Health’s commitment to supporting organizations and causes that close healthcare gaps and improve wellness for individuals and families across our communities.”
As a two-generation model, Head Start supports both children and parents — helping families build stability while promoting long-term health. For Holmes and McKinney, supporting Head Start in collaboration with AHA was more than a donation, it was a way to invest in the health and future of families, just like theirs.
Investing in Communities’ Health
Whether through early childhood education or heart health advocacy, both leaders understand that supporting families today lays the foundation for healthier communities tomorrow. Their collaboration reflects the power of women leading with empathy, vision and impact and is backed by Sutter Health’s Community Health team, which actively invests in programs that expand access to preventive care and address the broader factors that influence health.
Together, McKinney and Holmes represent a full-circle moment, where early support systems like Head Start intersect with healthcare leadership and community investment, reinforcing Sutter Health’s mission to close healthcare gaps and promote wellness for individuals, families and entire communities.
