Dr. Hessel has been a pediatrician at Marin Community Clinics for the past 13 years. Although she finds direct patient care rewarding, she understands the importance of addressing the larger issues that impact a patient's health. In her current role as lead pediatrician, Dr. Hessel collaborates with different local organizations to strengthen the safety net in Marin County which, despite its overall affluence, has many working-poor residents and one of the greatest disparities in life expectancy nationally. Dr. Hessel regularly incorporates into patient care the services of First 5 of Marin, Head Start, WIC, Novato Youth Center and Huckleberry Youth Center, Novato Spirit, Canal Alliance, the Marin Food Bank, and the public school districts. She has also been involved in countywide initiatives such as the Marin Breastfeeding Coalition, the Marin Pesticides Reduction Coalition, and the Marin Parks Prescription working group. Dr. Hessel is a member of the Marin Head Start Health Services Advisory Committee and HeadsUp San Rafael City Schools Foundation.