Meet Margie Bulkin, 2026 Distinguished Citizen of the Year

The Distinguished Citizen Award recognizes an individual who embodies the spirit of Adventist Health’s mission — living God’s love by inspiring health, wholeness and hope — through their contributions as a servant leader in our community.

Margie Bulkin loves kids, values the importance of education, and fills her cup by giving back. A widely respected education leader and adviser, Margie has dedicated over 40 years to serving her community.

“I love seeing young people succeed,” Margie admits. “In education, that’s our business.”

A profound influence on local education

Margie came to Sonora in 2007 with her husband, Gary, to serve as Superintendent for both Sonora Elementary School District and Curtis Creek Elementary School District, after more than twenty years in education in San Diego County. Through her leadership as Deputy Superintendent and Tuolumne County Superintendent of Schools from 2011 to 2019, Margie secured over $4 million in grants to support students in math and science, mental health, and tobacco use prevention. In addition, Margie sought ways to implement dual high school and college enrollment so that students could explore career pathways and earn certifications for the top hiring industries in our area, including healthcare, fire technology, forestry, and hospitality.

One of Margie’s most transformative achievements arose from her work at the Columbia College Foundation, where she initiated a campaign to raise funds to offer two years of free tuition at Columbia College for students graduating from local high schools, making higher education accessible to those for whom tuition might otherwise put it out of reach.

“Education is the key to unlocking a pathway out of poverty,” Margie explains. Now in its ninth year, the Columbia College Promise, made possible by generous community donors, has helped more than 1,700 local students earn two-year degrees.

A unique influence on local healthcare

Margie’s unique influence on local education, in addition to her service on Adventist Health Sonora’s Community Advisory Board and Governing Board, allowed her to pave the way for an important partnership between Columbia College, Pacific Union College, and Adventist Health. The Associate of Science in Nursing with Adventist Health program allows students to stay in and serve their community while training for highly skilled careers as registered nurses.

“Where there is great education and great healthcare, communities thrive,” Margie says, highlighting the partnership as “our college and our hospital working together to create bridges to employment.”

Connecting the dots

Margie’s ability to connect the dots between education and healthcare has created enormous opportunities for local students and families while allowing local medical services to find candidates for hard-to-fill positions and meet the needs of our community.

Because Margie approaches every act of service without expectation of reward, her acceptance of the Distinguished Citizen Award is, in itself, an act of service. Margie hopes that by receiving this recognition, others might be inspired to further the mission of the hospital as well.

“I love this hospital,” Margie says, explaining that the success of Adventist Health Sonora contributes to the overall health of our community. When students or their family members are burdened by physical or mental illness, that’s when children are absent or struggle in school. However, Margie continues, “When the family is healthy and supported, children can thrive.”

Deliberate acts of kindness

We have all heard of random acts of kindness. What Margie sees in our community are deliberate acts of kindness. “Imagine the little things we do to help one family navigate the challenges of just surviving, then multiply that across the community. Give, in every way you can, to support wellness and education. The difference it can make is profound.”