2025 CHEAC Annual Meeting Plenary Speakers
STANDING STRONG FOR ALL: RESILIENCE AND INNOVATION IN PUBLIC HEALTH
The 2025 CHEAC Annual Meeting will feature multiple keynote plenary addresses and panel discussions from notable local, state, and federal leaders in public health.
OPENING PLENARY - CONVERSATION WITH CALIFORNIA STATE LEADERSHIP
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Erica Pan, MD, MPH, FIDSA, FAAP
Director and State Public Health Officer, California Department of Public Health
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) and the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) on the Administration’s accomplishments, remaining priorities, and how California is responding to federal funding and policy shifts.
Dr. Erica Pan joined CDPH in July 2020 as the Deputy Director for the Center for Infectious Diseases and State Epidemiologist. During that time, she helped lead the state through the COVID-19 pandemic, multiple infectious disease outbreaks, Ebola planning and the H5N1 bird flu. She was confirmed as the state Health Officer and department Director this spring.
In all, Dr. Pan has more than 20 years of public health leadership experience. Before joining CDPH, she served as the Alameda County Health Officer. In fact, she held various roles at the Alameda County Public Health Department since 2011, including Director of the Division of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, and Deputy Health Officer.
Dr. Pan is also a clinical professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at the University of California, San Francisco.
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.
Public Health Meets Public Office: A Dialogue with Former Health Directors
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2
9:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Mimi Hall, MPH
District 4 Supervisor, Plumas County
Lynda Salcido, PHN
District 5 Supervisor, Mono County
Join us for an illuminating conversation with former public health directors as they reflect on their journeys navigating the intersection of public health, policy, and leadership. This plenary will explore the critical lessons learned from leading during times of crisis and calm, and how these leaders leveraged their roles to elevate public health. From building trust with communities to influencing policy, this dialogue offers invaluable insights for current and future public health professionals striving to make lasting impact through public service.
Mimi Hall is a seasoned public health leader with over 20 years of experience advancing local health systems across California. Now serving as District 4 Supervisor on the Plumas County Board of Supervisors, she brings deep expertise in public health and human services to county governance and community leadership.
Throughout her career, Mimi has led transformative public health initiatives at local and state levels, focusing on equity, data-driven decision-making, and cross-sector collaboration. She has held leadership roles on key committees and as President of the County Health Executives Association of California.
Mimi has been a driving force in expanding access to public health data, improving system interoperability, and using analytics to reduce health disparities. She played a central role in creating the Pajaro Valley Healthcare District and rescuing Watsonville Community Hospital to preserve essential care for underserved communities.
In 2021, she received the PEN America Courage Award for her leadership and transparency during the COVID-19 pandemic. She is the only woman and the first immigrant and minority elected to office in Plumas County.
Lynda Salcido has served Mono County with dedication since 1996, bringing decades of leadership experience in local government and public health to her role on the Board of Supervisors. She spent over 20 years as Mono County’s Public Health Director, leading the county through major health initiatives and emergencies—including the COVID-19 pandemic—with steady, compassionate leadership. During this time, she also directed the County’s Emergency Medical Services program, served as a board member of the Southern Mono Healthcare District, and was called upon to serve in the position of Interim County Administrative Officer.
Following her tenure with Mono County, Lynda was elected to the Mammoth Lakes Town Council, where she served a four-year term. This added a valuable municipal perspective to her already deep understanding of county operations.
Now in her first term as a Mono County Supervisor, Lynda is a committed advocate for rural and frontier communities. Her work is rooted in collaboration, community engagement, and a focus on real-world solutions that serve the public good.
Lynda is also a strong regional voice, building partnerships across Mono, Inyo, and Alpine Counties to address shared challenges and opportunities—making a meaningful difference throughout the Eastern Sierra.
CLOSING PLENARY - Resilient Together: The Heart and Hope of Public Health
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Umair A. Shah, MD, MPH
Former Secretary, Washington State Department of Health
In today’s environment, challenges press in from every direction—local, state, federal, media, and everyday life. In this closing plenary, Dr. Umair Shah will explore how local public health leaders and staff can remain strong amid complexity and change. Drawing on decades of experience across diverse communities, he will highlight resilience, collaboration, and tenacity while reminding us that the true strength of public health lies in our people, who heed the call to lead with heart and hope.
Dr. Umair A. Shah is a physician, public health leader, and expert in health transformation with more than two decades of experience bridging healthcare and public health. He most recently served as Secretary of Health for Washington State, where the agency received national recognition for its work in innovation, strategic partnerships, and public health communications.
Previously, Dr. Shah led Harris County Public Health in Texas - the health department for the nation’s third-largest county - where his leadership earned national honors, including recognition as Local Health Department of the Year. He also served as president of the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), representing more than 3,000 local health departments across the country. During his time in Texas, he spent two decades as an emergency physician in the VA health system, deepening his expertise in clinical care and crisis response.
Now based in the Seattle area, Dr. Shah holds faculty appointments at the University of Washington, Washington State University, Baylor College of Medicine, and the University of Texas. He is the founder of Rickshaw Health, a consultancy advising health agencies and leaders on strategy, innovation, and systems change. His leadership is grounded in his Asian American heritage, Midwestern upbringing, and Texas roots - values that continue to shape his commitment to resilience, excellence, and meaningful impact in health.