EQUITY IN OC - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Interim Agency Director, OC Health Care Agency

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.

Job Titles:

• Assistant Agency Director
• OC Health Care Agency 's Interim Assistant 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. Dr. Winterswyk earned her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with a Pre-Physical Therapy concentration from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo in 2000. In 2003, Dr. Winterswyk earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Southern California. In 2021, Dr. Winterswyk completed the University of California, Irvine Paul Merage School of Business Certificate in Leadership for Healthcare Management.

Job Titles:

• Administrative Manager I

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.

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.

Job Titles:

• Associate Director for the Office of Population Health
• LCSW Associate Director

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. Luis has continued to expand his skill set, integrating his years of experience working within the hospital setting to ensure successful health outcomes of patients as they navigate the continuum of care. With almost twenty-years of experience within the Orange County Health Care Agency and with experience working within and across multiple behavioral health service areas, Luis understands the importance of addressing systematic barriers that impact client care and health outcomes. Luis holds a Master of Social Work from California State University Fullerton (CSUF), a Bachelor's in Human Services from CSUF and is currently in the process of working towards his doctorate degree in Social Work.

Job Titles:

• Staff Specialist for the Office of Population Health

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.