Rural Health Policy Council
The Rural Health Policy Council (RHPC) is an advisory group comprised of rural healthcare partners and experts whose role is to provide information and advice to HCAI on the design and implementation of the California Rural Health Transformation (CalRHT) program, and general issues affecting health in rural communities. RHPC members discuss policy questions, propose ideas, and share information about the CalRHT Program with their communities. The Council does not have decision-making authority related to the administration of the program but serves as an important forum for partner and public engagement.
The CalRHT program is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $233,639,308.46 with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents are those of CalRHT and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
Council Members
| Raul Ayala, MD, MHCM Ambulatory Medical Officer & DIO, Central California Network Representing rural hospitals | Rita Nguyen, MD Assistant Health Officer, California Department of Public Health Representing state government |
| Joy Dockter, JD Senior Attorney, Western Center on Law and Poverty Representing consumers | Jeffrey Norris, MD Value-Based Payment Branch Chief, Department of Health Care Services Representing state government |
| Kirk Fermin Director of Provider Network, Inland Empire Health Plan Representing Medi-Cal managed care plans | Tim Rine Chief Executive Officer, North Coast Clinics Representing rural clinics |
| Hernando Garzon, MD Chief Medical Officer, Emergency Medical Service Authority Representing state government | Colleen Rodriguez MSW, MPH Public Health Director, Calaveras County Health and Human Services Agency Representing county public health |
| Orvin Hanson Chief Executive Officer, Indian Health Council, Inc. Representing tribal partners | James Schlund, MD Radiologist, Tahoe Forest Hospital Representing providers |
| Virginia Q. Hedrick, MPH Chief Executive Officer, California Rural Indian Health Board Representing tribal partners | Monica Soni, MD Chief Medical Officer, Covered California Representing purchasers |
| Haady Lashkari Chief Administrative Officer, Community Memorial Hospital, Ojai Valley Representing rural hospitals | Dan Southard Chief Deputy Director, Department of Managed Health Care Representing state government |
| Lori Link, CNM, MSN Director of Midwifery, Plumas District Hospital Representing providers | Sarah Steenhausen Deputy Director, CA Department of Aging Representing state government |
| Julia Logan, MD, MPH Chief Medical Officer, CA Public Employees’ Retirement System Representing state government | Colleen Townsend, MD Regional Medical Director, Partnership Health Plan Representing Medi-Cal managed care plans |
| Alma Martinez Policy Advocate, Center on Race Poverty & the Environment Representing consumers | Ryan Witz Executive Director, District Hospital Leadership Forum Representing district and municipal public hospitals |
| Siri Nelson Chief Executive Officer, Marshall Hospital and Clinics Representing rural clinics |
RHPC Meetings
The RHPC meets quarterly. Meetings are open to the public and require advance registration. Please see the upcoming meeting details below.
Upcoming Meetings
Rural Health Policy Council (RHPC) Meeting | July 28, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon (PT)
- Register Now
- Agenda (Coming Soon)
Additional Resources
Program Contacts
For additional questions contact the team at CalRHT@hcai.ca.gov.
CalRHT Program Subscription
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