Quality health for all
In partnership with the community, deliver sustainable and responsive services that promote population health and equity.
Support the HCA’s impact and action related to addressing health disparities to advance health equity and population health.
Partner and collaborate with cross-sector public and private stakeholders for action.
Partner with community to identify solutions addressing social determinants of health.
Create and ensure mechanisms and conditions for participation across all stakeholders, including non-traditional providers, grassroots organizations, and community members.
Build collective capacity of HCA and community partners for action. Build and share power, particularly with key populations and communities impacted by health inequities.
Debra Baetz began her career with the County of Orange (County) Social Services Agency (SSA) in 1989. She promoted up through SSA in various roles across the Agency’s Assistance Programs, Adult Services and Family Self-Sufficiency, and Administrative Services Divisions. Debra was ultimately promoted to the role of SSA Director in 2018. As SSA Director, she led the largest Orange County Agency which is comprised of approximately 4,400 staff who serve one in four Orange County residents. Debra retired as the SSA Director in 2022. In 2023, Debra was asked to come out of retirement to serve as the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) Interim Agency Director while the County conducts the recruitment for the permanent HCA Agency Director.
Dr. Mindy Winterswyk is currently the OC Health Care Agency’s Interim Assistant Agency Director. Prior to joining the Director’s Office, Dr. Winterswyk was the Division Manager and Chief of the Medical Therapy Program for the Orange County California Children’s Services (CCS) Program. The CCS program focuses on providing case management and authorizing medical care, as well as providing onsite physical therapy and occupational therapy, to children and young adults 0-21 years of age, with chronic lifelong diagnosis.
Hieu Nguyen, serves as the OC Health Care Agency’s first Director of the Office of Population and Health Equity. Hieu previously served as the Director for System of Care at Mind OC, a non-profit organization that seeks to collaboratively transform the mental health system in Orange County. Through public and private partnerships, he actively engaged community stakeholders to actualize the Be Well OC movement.
Luis A. Gonzalez serves as the Associate Director for the Office of Population Health and Equity. Luis previously served as a Service Chief with Mental Health and Recovery Services (MHRS) where he oversaw the daily operations of outpatient mental health services for clients diagnosed with a severe and persistent mental illness and/or substance abuse disorder. Luis was also instrumental in the development and implementation of the first County funded LGBTIQ program, which provided mental health, counseling, support and education services to clients, families and community partners on topics related to and addressing sexual orientation, gender identity, and navigating the coming out process.
Wesley Shain is a Staff Specialist for the Office of Population Health and Equity. His diverse expertise in consumer insight leadership, public affairs, and community health, drive his passion, values, and energy for positive change. As a Randall Lewis Health and Policy Fellow, he focused on homelessness among the High Desert’s rural population and centered his work around diversity, equity, and community coalition efforts.
Emmi’s career has focused on serving disenfranchised communities, especially the LGBTIQ community. This work has included time as a case manager, a cultural competency trainer, and the head of LA Care’s Transgender Health Program. As a life-long learner, Emmi is currently working toward her Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. Emmi has a BA in Neurobiology and a Master of Public Health from University of California, Irvine.
The OPHE will work with industry experts to measurably expand Orange County’s ability to address the gaps in the health care system that are driving inequities in health and well-being in the county.
