Van Do-Reynoso, former public health director at the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department, has started a new position as chief customer experience officer at CenCal Health, the Medi-Cal managed care plan for Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.
Van Do-Reynoso will provide leadership for the management of relationships with members, providers, and community partners to ensure the long-term growth and success of key partnerships.
She will also serve as health equity officer at CenCal Health, responsible for understanding and championing diverse needs and perspectives across the health plan’s service area; sponsoring improvements in access to care, member engagement and satisfaction; provider and community partner retention and satisfaction; and the quality of customer service and service outcomes with an equity lens.
“I am thrilled to join CenCal Health, and look forward to collaborating with our partners to advance health equity in every neighborhood so that our communities are the healthiest in California,” said Do-Reynoso.
As county public health director the past five years, Do-Reynoso provided oversight of five health care centers, three homeless shelter clinics, and a variety of health programs. She led public health operations during multiple crises including the Thomas Fire, Montecito debris flows, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Through it all, Van responded with calm and grace,” said Santa Barbara County Supervisor Joan Hartmann, who also sits on the CenCal Health Board of Directors. “She guided us through these extraordinary times with both science and compassion.
“I know that at CenCal Health she will continue as an innovative and thoughtful health professional in service to the community.”
Prior to her tenure in Santa Barbara, Do-Reynoso was public health director for seven years and interim behavioral health services director for one year at the Madera County Department of Public Health.
She also worked in public health for Tulare County and Asian Health Services in Oakland, California, and was a postgraduate fellow and management consultant for Kaiser Permanente in Northern California.
Do-Reynoso’s holds a Ph.D in public health from the University of California, Merced; an MPH in Health Policy and Administration from the University of California, Berkeley; and a BA in biology with history minor from the University of California, Santa Cruz.
“Serving with Van on the CenCal Health Board of Directors, I’ve experienced firsthand her depth of healthcare knowledge and concern for the public’s welfare,” said Debbie Arnold, San Luis Obispo County Supervisor. “In her new position, we can expect to see the same steadfast commitment to positive health outcomes for our underserved residents in SLO County.”
As a public health leader and spokesperson in Santa Barbara County during COVID-19, Do-Reynoso received the following awards and recognition:
2022 Women of Achievement Award, Association for Women in Communications
2022 Public Policy Leader of the Year BRAVO Award, NAWBO
2021 Heroes of Hospice, Hospice of Santa Barbara
2021 Woman of the Year, California Assembly District 37
2020 Hero Award, Santa Barbara Independent
“Those who know Van best, know that she is creative, resilient, collaborative, and aspirational in her pursuit of health equity for all, which aligns with CenCal Health’s vision,” said Marina Owen, CenCal Health CEO.
“In this reimagined executive role, Van will focus on expanding access to care, providing excellence in provider service, improving the patient experience, and strengthening community collaboration. I couldn’t ask for a better partner in the years to come,” she said.
More information on CenCal Health is available at cencalhealth.org.