Mary Szecsey is a long time resident of West Sonoma County where she lives with her husband and two boys in Occidental. Szecsey's history includes work with Save the Children in Indonesia and the Pacific Islands where she and her husband lived from the mid-80's to the early 90's. She has served on the Commission on AIDS, and currently serves on the Harmony Union School District Board, the Sonoma County Redwood Community Health Coalition Board, Sonoma Health Alliance Equal Access Committee, Children's Healthcare Access Coalition, California Primary Care Association, National Association of Community Health Centers, West County Rural Health Partnership Council, Occidental Community Council, and the Palm Drive Hospital Board.

Assemblymember Berg said, "I am thrilled to have Mary as my honoree this year. She has made such a positive difference in her community that simply must be acknowledged, commended and celebrated."

Berg visited the West County Health Care Centers last year and was impressed with the "healing atmosphere" in the clinic largely due to the environment Szecsey has been able to create. Berg went on to say, "Mary Szecsey truly embodies the saying, leave things better than how you found them."

Szecsey was honored on the Assembly Floor at the State Capitol with 79 other honorees representing all other districts around the State.

Elected in November of 2002, Assemblymember Patty Berg represents the 1st Assembly