The 2024 CHEAC Annual Meeting will feature multiple keynote plenary addresses and panel discussions from notable local, state, and federal leaders in public health.
THE FUTURE OF PUBLIC HEALTH: STRATEGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS
OPENING PLENARY - PARTNERING WITH MANAGED CARE TO TRANSFORM OUTCOMES
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Dr. Palav Babaria, MD, MHS
Chief Quality Officer and Deputy Director of Quality and Population Health Management
California Department of Health Care Services
Dr. DeLorean Ruffin, DrPH, MPH
Director of Population Health Management
Partnership Health Plan of California
Vanessa Davis, MPH
Director of Medi-Cal External Engagement and Initiatives
Kaiser Permanente
Vernell Shaw III
Director, Northern California Medi-Cal Regional Lead
Health Net of California
California has embarked on a series of wide-ranging and ambitious initiatives to create a more coordinated, person-centered, and equitable health system that works for all Californians. Central to these efforts is the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) Initiative, a multiyear effort to transform the state’s Medi-Cal system. Specifically, aspects such as the Population Health Management (PHM) Initiative, Enhanced Care Management, Community Supports, Community Health Worker benefit, and the recently refreshed managed care plan memorandums of understanding (MOUs) are all opportunities to establish robust partnerships between California’s local health departments and Medi-Cal managed care plans.
To kick off our 2024 CHEAC Annual Meeting, leaders from the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and Medi-Cal managed care plans will join us to discuss efforts underway and opportunities ahead for fostering enhanced collaboration and engagement between local health departments and managed care plans in addressing community health needs statewide.
Dr. Palav Babaria was appointed Chief Quality Officer and Deputy Director of Quality and Population Health Management of the California Department of Health Care Services beginning in March 2021. She was formerly the Chief Administrative Officer of Ambulatory Services at Alameda Health System. In that capacity, she operationally and clinically oversaw 26 specialty clinics, four large primary care FQHCs, specialty and integrated behavioral health, and was responsible for all outpatient value-based payment programs. Prior to that role, she served as Medical Director of K6 Adult Medicine Clinic. She also has over a decade of global health experience and her work has been published in the New England Journal of Medicine, Academic Medicine, Social Science & Medicine, L.A. Times, and New York Times. Her areas of interest include ambulatory transformation in resource-limited settings, shifting to value-based care, and issues of gender in medicine. Babaria received her bachelor’s from Harvard College, as well as her MD and Masters in Health Science from Yale University. She completed her residency training in internal medicine and global health fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco.
Dr. DeLorean Ruffin is the new Director of Population Health Management for Partnership Health Plan. She possess over 8 years of experience in public health sector including health education and promotion, clinical research, regulatory compliance, and health equity initiatives. Prior to this role, Dr. Ruffin served as the Director of Research, Evaluation, and Community Health at the West Oakland Health Council, an FQHC. There, she led efforts in health data analytics, quality improvement, and community health programs, focusing on systematic change and sustainable, culturally appropriate interventions to enhance the health and vitality of individuals, families, and communities. In professional capacities, Dr. Ruffin addresses root causes of health concerns, disparities, and social inequalities, utilizing a wide range of skills—including program monitoring and evaluation, education, advocacy, interprofessional collaboration, performance improvement, and research/assessments—to drive change across multiple system levels.
Vanessa Davis brings over fifteen years of experience in health care with national and international health and social justice non-profits. She has a robust background in public health research trials in various hospital and community-based settings, working at the intersection of health and social behavior. Currently serving as the Director of Medi-Cal External Engagement and Initiatives at Kaiser Permanente, Vanessa leads efforts to strengthen the Medi-Cal program by fostering meaningful collaborations with external partners, including county agencies, community-based organizations, and managed care plans. Her portfolio includes strategies to address population health, homelessness and affordable housing, food security, and other social drivers of health. Vanessa's journey at KP began over a decade ago in the Division of Research before transitioning to a leadership role in Community Health as the Housing and Homelessness Lead. During the pandemic, she served on the California Statewide COVID-19 Testing Taskforce, supporting the rapid adoption of innovative prevention and mitigation strategies for people experiencing homelessness. Vanessa holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Wesleyan University and a Master of Public Health Degree from the University of California, Berkeley.
Vernell Shaw III is an accomplished professional with over 20 years of combined experience in behavioral health, child welfare, and Medi-Cal managed care in California. Currently serving as Director, Northern California Medi-Cal Regional Lead at Health Net, Vernell has demonstrated a proven track record of driving impactful collaborations. He holds a bachelor's degree from the College of the Holy Cross and pursued his graduate studies at Fordham University. Vernell’s interests include reading, exercising, and spending time with his family. He and his wife are the proud parents of six children – five daughters and one son – with two sets of twins! With his deep expertise and dedication, Vernell continues to contribute significantly to the healthcare landscape, fostering innovative partnerships for improved community well-being.
THURSDAY PLENARY - NAVIGATING TOMORROW: STRATEGIES for a THRIVING LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3
9:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Sara Bosse, MBA
Public Health Director
Madera County
Colleen Chawla, MPA/HSA
Director
Alameda County Health
Colleen Rodriguez, MSW, MPH
Deputy Director of Public Health
Calaveras County
Kim Saruwatari, MPH
Public Health Director
Riverside County
In this engaging plenary session, California health department leaders will explore forward-thinking strategies essential for building a future-ready and effective local health department. Our speakers will address how to navigate the evolving landscape influenced by new initiatives, such as CalAIM. This discussion will focus on innovative approaches to overcoming current challenges, enhancing operational efficiency, and improving community health outcomes.
Drawing on their collective expertise, participants will gain practical knowledge and actionable strategies to adapt to these changes and enhance their departments' effectiveness and sustainability. Join us for a dynamic discussion aimed at equipping local health departments with the tools and foresight needed to thrive amidst evolving public health policies and developments.
Sara Bosse directs, manages, and oversee the functions, operations and programs including rural, public, and child health and disability programs, disease investigation and mitigation, outbreak and disaster planning and mitigation, community medical services, and community health and wellness programs. A leader in upstream public health work in California since 1998, Sara initiates and sustain local and regional policy, systems, and environmental change interventions that create healthy equitable communities. Certified in Essential Facilitation and Crucial Conversations, she is known for her ability to engage partners, facilitate collaboration, and develop innovative strategies to address complex issues – within the organization and out in the community.
Colleen Chawla has dedicated her career to improving health and health care access for vulnerable populations. As the Director of Alameda County Health, she leads the County’s efforts to promote and protect the health of more than 1.6 million Alameda County residents. Colleen joined Alameda County in December 2017 with more than 25 years of prior experience in the health sector. Colleen found her commitment and purpose to advance health equity and access in her work to support her community early in the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Just prior to joining Alameda County, Colleen served as the Deputy Director of the San Francisco Department of Public Health. Colleen currently serves on the Board of Governors for Alameda Alliance for Health, the local public Medi-Cal managed care plan, and on the Executive Committee of the County Health Executives Association of California, the statewide association representing California’s 61 local health jurisdictions. A longtime Oakland resident, Colleen holds a Master of Public Administration/Health Services Administration from the University of San Francisco and a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Southern California.
Colleen Rodriguez brings over 25 years of experience in Public Health and currently serves as the Deputy Director of Calaveras Public Health. Her journey encompasses direct service, community organizing, advocacy, social work, and qualitative research. She holds Bachelor's degrees in Sociology and Women’s Studies (University of NH), a Master of Social Welfare degree (UC Berkeley), and a Master of Public Health degree (San José State). As a Peace Corps volunteer in Paraguay, South America, she developed a drive for community health and an appreciation for running water. Colleen is passionate about serving rural communities and believes dogs make the world a better place.
Kim Saruwatari began her career in Public Health over 25 years ago and has worked in Immunizations, HIV/AIDS, STD Control, Community Epidemiology and Outbreak Response, and Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response. She has led the Public Health Department’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and Monkeypox outbreak, including the development of enhanced partnerships with community and faith-based organizations, the education sector and businesses throughout Riverside County. Kim has a passion for social justice work, including working with communities to ensure access to resources in an equitable way that fosters healthier communities.
She holds a B.A. in molecular and cell biology, and a M.P.H. in infectious diseases, both from the University of California, Berkeley.
CLOSING PLENARY - A CONVERSATION WITH CALIFORNIA STATE LEADERSHIP
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Tomás Aragón, MD, DrPH
Director and State Public Health Officer
California Department of Public Health
Diana Ramos, MD, MPH, MBA, FACOG
Surgeon General
Office of the California Surgeon General
Michelle Baass, MPPA
Director
California Department of Health Care Services
Under the direction of Governor Gavin Newsom, California’s health and human services departments and offices are in the midst of numerous ambitious initiatives in pursuit of improving the health and wellbeing of all Californians. Join us for a conversation with state leaders from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), the Office of the California Surgeon General, and the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) on the Administration’s accomplishments and remaining priorities.
Dr. Tomás Aragón has served as the director of the California Department of Public Health and the State Public Health Officer, since January 4, 2021. Prior to coming to CDPH, he was the health officer for the City and County of San Francisco and director of the public health division. Dr. Aragón has served in public health leadership roles for more than 20 years (communicable disease controller, deputy health officer, health officer, community health and chronic disease epidemiologist), including directing a public health emergency preparedness and response research and training center at the University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health.
Dr. Diana Ramos is a well-recognized public health leader dedicated to improving health care quality and equity. She was appointed California's second Surgeon General in 2022 and previously served as the CDPH Assistant Deputy Director of Chronic Disease Prevention. Her prior roles include the Director for Reproductive Health in the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine. Dr. Ramos is trained in obstetrics and gynecology, and her areas of expertise include health disparities, social determinants of health, preconception/interconception health, preterm birth, contraception, and quality improvement in health.
Director Michelle Baass was appointed Director of the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) by Governor Gavin Newsom in September 2021. Before her appointment to DHCS, Ms. Baass served as Undersecretary of the California Health and Human Services (CHHS) Agency since 2018 and Deputy Secretary of the Office of Program and Fiscal Affairs at CHHS from 2017 to 2018. Prior to joining the executive branch, Ms. Baass worked in the Legislature for 13 years, including in the California State Senate, Senate Office of Research, and the California Legislative Analyst's Office.