ORANGE, Calif. (September 25, 2023) — CalOptima Health is pleased to welcome Michaell Silva Rose, DrPH, LCSW, beginning today, as Chief Health Equity Officer, a new leadership role aimed at increasing health equity for our insured members. The California Department of Health Care Services has asked all Medi-Cal managed care plans to appoint a Chief Health Equity Officer by January 1, 2024.
Dr. Rose will have input on and oversight of key equity initiatives, benefits, policies and procedures, seeking to address and better identify health inequalities and social determinants of health for CalOptima Health’s nearly 980,000 members.
“Health equity is all about helping individuals attain their highest level of health,” Dr. Rose said. “CalOptima Health recognizes that we can do more to achieve health equity in Orange County, and I am looking forward to collaborating with organizations throughout our community to make a difference.”
Dr. Rose brings more than 25 years of health care and executive leadership experience to her role. She has filled several community health leadership roles at Hoag Health Systems since 1998, including most recently as Director of Community Health. In addition to her professional career, Dr. Rose is active on a number of boards and community advisory committees, including Be Well OC’s Community Suicide Prevention Initiative, Families and Communities Together’s leadership council, and Equity in OC’s Community Health Improvement Leadership Academy.
“We are fortunate to have someone of Dr. Rose’s caliber to guide CalOptima Health in making health equity a top priority,” said Michael Hunn, CalOptima Health Chief Executive Officer. “Ensuring that all our members get quality care, regardless of individual circumstances, is how we fulfill our mission to respect the value and needs of each person.”
Dr. Rose holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a Master of Social Work from California State University, Long Beach, and a Doctor of Public Health from Loma Linda University’s School of Public Health. She is also a licensed clinical social worker and community benefit specialist