Faustino Bernadett: Vice President of The Molina Foundation

Community service has long been a shared priority for Faustino Bernadett and his wife, Dr. Martha Molina Bernadett. In 2004, they established The Molina Foundation, a national nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to education and improving health opportunities for underserved communities. Dr. Martha Molina Bernadett serves as President and CEO, while Faustino Bernadett serves as Vice President and Treasurer.

Over the years, The Molina Foundation has collaborated with more than 2,500 schools and community organizations, distributing over 5.5 million books and supporting educational resources for children and families. The foundation also works alongside preschools, schools, healthcare providers, churches, family service agencies, and other nonprofit organizations to help strengthen communities and increase access to educational and health-focused programs.

Carrying on a Legacy of Service

As Vice President of The Molina Foundation, Dr. Faustino Bernadett is a proud member of the Board of Directors, a distinguished group of professionals in the business, education, social and civic sectors. The foundation was born out of a love of family and education. Indeed, it was designed to carry on the Molina parents’ education legacy, as C. David and Mary Molina were elementary school teachers before their daughter Martha returned to school to pursue a career as a physician.

Over nearly 16 years, The Molina Foundation has ensured a new generation of students will have access to the books they need within programs and schools serving low-income and at-risk families. Many of these programs work with immigrant and limited English proficient families. This cause is near and dear to Faustino "Tino" Bernadett, whose own father ran a successful practice as the only Spanish-speaking family doctor in Chico, California.

Faustino Bernadett Supporting Literacy

His dad, Faustino Bernadett, Sr., M.D., (a family physician who was at times paid in tamales) also volunteered his services to Mexico’s low-income patients, spurring a dedication in his son Tino to the education of physicians who care for the underserved. Faustino Bernadett and his wife Martha do even more to continue the legacy, with donations to UCSF designed to benefit underserved communities, as well as leading the charge to establish the Smithsonian Latino Center.

Background on The Molina Foundation

Instilling a love of learning, particularly through books, is one of the foundation's main goals. In fact, The Molina Foundation’s program Book Buddies distributes new books to community agencies serving underprivileged children and families.

Through its WordUp initiative, The Molina

Foundation empowers children and families to instill strong health and literacy skills by using activities and tips to prepare them for success in kindergarten and beyond. The foundation also hosts workshops for preschoolers, kindergarteners, and first graders all over the country.

On My Way to Kindergarten is a collection of hands-on resources for children between the ages of three and five to prepare for kindergarten – valuable resources that were developed with input from kindergarten teachers across the nation.

Dr. Bernadett hopes to continue the mission of The Molina Foundation for many more years to come, bridging the divide in access to education and health.