Former board chair transitions to role of vice chair; two new
members join the Commission
CAMARILLO, Calif., June 19,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) is
pleased to announce the appointment of Laura Espinosa as the first-ever Latina
chairperson of the Ventura County Medi-Cal Managed Care Commission
(VCMMCC) and the first Consumer Representative to serve in that
role. She succeeds Dee Pupa, who
transitions to the role of vice chairperson in continuation of the
service she has provided to GCHP over the course of a decade. As a
public entity serving Medi-Cal members in Ventura County, GCHP is governed by the
VCMMCC, which supports the organization's commitment to connect
members with high quality care and services.
"We applaud Laura for her longstanding dedication to health care
advocacy in Ventura County and
celebrate this milestone as she becomes the first Latina to hold
this esteemed position as chair of the Commission," said GCHP Chief
Executive Officer (CEO) Nick
Ligouri. "With deep roots in Santa
Paula and the Santa Clara Valley at large, Laura embodies
the vital voice of our community. Her dedication to the community
and understanding of the health care needs of our members make her
an invaluable asset to the Commission, especially as we continue to
evolve in an ever-changing health care landscape."
With a Juris Doctorate from Ventura
College of Law, Ms. Espinosa has committed decades to
numerous community service endeavors. She is a founding member and
current president of Santa Paula Latino Town Hall and has served on
the boards of local community-based organizations, committees, and
health care providers. She was the first Latina ever elected to a
city council in Ventura County,
serving two terms on the Santa Paula City Council. Her dedication
to advocating for health care for underserved populations reached
new heights when she was first appointed to the VCMMCC by the
Ventura County Board of
Supervisors in 2017.
"Every GCHP member deserves the highest quality care and access
in order to have the best health care outcomes," said VCMMCC Chair
Espinosa. "Quality health care, education, and economic development
are keys to a healthy, thriving community, and I am honored to lead
GCHP in advancing these efforts. The honor aligns with my
philosophy of social justice and ensuring all people's civil and
human rights. Over the next three years, the strategies developed
at Gold Coast Health Plan will transform health care as we now know
it, which will lead to increased health equity, reducing health
disparities, and planned economic investments for local providers
and member supports."
VCMMCC Vice Chair Pupa, who is the deputy director of managed
care for the County of Ventura,
has served GCHP with distinction over the course of a decade and
was on the team that pursued regulatory approval for GCHP's
creation in 2011. Ms. Pupa served as Commission chair for four
years, during which the Commission and GCHP led large-scale
investments in the organization to modernize systems and expand
access to members, including a $75
million provider incentive and grant program that is helping
bridge gaps in health care equity and access, and drive
improvements in health care for the community.
"As we embark on this transformative journey to redefine health
care excellence, I am grateful to Dee for her dedication and
leadership in support in of our vision," Liguori said. "Together,
we will continue to innovate, collaborate, and drive positive
change for the well-being of all those we serve."
The VCMMCC also welcomed two new members. Tabin Cosio, interim Human Resources (HR)
director of the County of Ventura,
joined the board in April to fill the seat vacated by Shawn Atin due to his retirement as county HR
director. Phil Buttell, CEO of Los
Robles Hospital in Thousand Oaks,
was sworn in May 20. He succeeds
Jennifer Swenson, CEO of Adventist
Health Simi Valley.
"It is with great enthusiasm that we welcome our new members to
the Commission," Liguori said. "Their diverse expertise and
unwavering commitment to excellence will undoubtedly fortify our
journey towards delivering high quality care to our members,
ensuring their well-being remains at the forefront of all we do.
With their invaluable contributions, we are poised to achieve even
greater heights in our mission to drive lasting changes to our
health care system."
About Gold Coast Health Plan
Gold Coast Health Plan proudly serves nearly 250,000 Medi-Cal
beneficiaries in Ventura County
through its network of primary care physicians, specialists,
behavioral health providers, and hospitals. Since it was founded in
2011, Gold Coast Health Plan has been committed to providing access
to high-quality care and improving the health of its members, which
include 1 in 3 county residents, 1 in 6 seniors, and 1 in 2
children up to the age of 5. To learn more, visit:
www.goldcoasthealthplan.org.
Contact:
Susana Enriquez-Euyoque
***@goldchp.org
Photo(s):
https://www.prlog.org/13025734
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SOURCE Gold Coast Health Plan