Created by a group of Oregon winemakers and Tuality Healthcare professionals in 1991, ¡Salud! aims to address the health care needs of the Oregon wine industry’s seasonal workers. The winemakers of Oregon recognized that a vast majority of workers – who made the wine business possible – were unable to obtain health care for themselves or their families. In response, members of the industry paired with members of Tuality to create a program which would provide basic healthcare to seasonal agricultural workers in Oregon.
¡Salud! accomplishes its mission by setting up clinics for the workers; many times these clinics are mobile in order to bring the medical staff to the vineyards. Though providing basic dental and medical health care is a vital part of what these clinics do, they also put a heavy emphasis on education. The clinics provide basic personal health information as well as information about navigating the health care system. This process is entirely funded by the organization, made possible primarily by their yearly auction.
The Oregon Pinot Noir Auction, held by ¡Salud!, is one of the highlights of the Oregon wine industry’s social calendar as well as being a massive philanthropic effort. Winemakers from around Oregon donate unique Pinot Noir vintages to be auctioned off. The auction consists of both an informal tasting and silent auction that culminates in an evening gala and live auction. For more information, please see the ¡Salud! website.
Interview
This interview is with Leda Garside, the Services Manager of ¡Salud!. During this interview, Leda talks about why she became a nurse and the foundation of ¡Salud!. She also discusses the challenges facing vineyard workers and their families access to healthcare.
This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Tuality Hospital in Hillsboro, Oregon on June 15, 2018.
Interview
Leda Garside is a registered nurse and the services manager of ¡Salud! Leda was interviewed as part of the “Beyond the Vines” project with the Linfield College Center for the Northwest.
Interview photos
Historical photos
