About TrueCare

Michelle Gonzalez’ roots at TrueCare™ run deep. Starting out as a Program Coordinator nearly 20 years ago, she went on to hold several senior management positions, including Chief Strategy and Development Officer and VP of Strategic Initiatives, before being appointed to President and CEO in April of 2020. Her diverse responsibilities instilled a deep understanding of the unique challenges facing nonprofit healthcare organizations and the communities they serve.

Michelle’s time with TrueCare also fostered a deep and abiding commitment to the organization’s mission of providing affordable, quality care to anyone in need. Under her leadership, TrueCare has expanded access to its services while improving the patient care experience. This includes establishing the patient call center, opening new clinic locations, and transitioning to the best in class, OCHIN-Epic (Electronic Health Records technology). Michelle also spearheaded a comprehensive re-brand and name change to TrueCare (formerly North County Health Services) to elevate brand awareness.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, under Michelle’s leadership, TrueCare launched a number of strategic initiatives to ensure care providers and staff had the resources to protect themselves while providing quality care. These included deploying strict safety protocols, rapid deployment of telehealth services, and the expansion of COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites at TrueCare locations.

To attract highly skilled healthcare professionals who share her passion for TrueCare’s mission, Michelle works hard to build a culture of caring and compassion. Her inclusive leadership style is driven by clear communication to all employees, rewarding excellence, inspiring greatness and instilling shared values that celebrate diversity. Her ability to foster crisp alignment between the Board of Directors, Executive Team and Staff Leadership keeps TrueCare on the cutting-edge of healthcare innovation.

Michelle holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, as well as a certificate in the Not-For-Profit Management Development Program through the Harvard Business School, San Diego Chapter, and a Green Belt Certification in Lean Six Sigma. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two young children; keeping them closely connected to their roots with family from Mexico and Guam.

Dr. Russell serves as Chief Medical Officer and Chief Operations Officer, bringing extensive knowledge in providing quality health care to underserved populations. Dr. Russell has twenty years of experience serving in clinical leadership roles with progressive responsibility and accountability within the Indian Health Service, and recently retired from United States Public Health Services at the rank of Captain. Her passion for ensuring access to quality healthcare for all and her belief in the TrueCare mission to care for the underserved in the community reflect her commitment to improving the health of the local communities.

Dr. Russell received her Bachelor of Arts in International Relations, from the College of William and Mary, and received her Doctor of Medicine from the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences. She is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and received her Master’s of Public Health from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She completed the Institute of Healthcare Improvement’s Improvement Advisor Training and is a certified Six Sigma Yellow Belt. In her free time, Dr. Russell enjoys running, hiking, traveling, and spending time with her family.

As Chief Human Resources Officer, Andrea oversees employee relations and engagement, talent acquisition, benefits and compensation, and credentialing. She began her career in human resources while working part-time as a human resources representative at a hospital in El Centro, CA. While there, she discovered her passion for human resources and the underserved community. Andrea believes that every TrueCare employee has a story that resonates with our mission and is honored to support and advocate for such caring and dedicated staff.

Andrea received her bachelor’s degree in communication and media management from SDSU and is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management. When she is not helping TrueCare employees grow within the organization, she enjoys spending time with her family outdoors.

As CIO, Tracy is powered by TrueCare’s mission and passionate about enhancing patient and care team experience through innovation. Tracy’s vast experience in health information technology (HIT) and serving as a local leader of Health Informatics makes her ideally suited for this role. The inspiring innovation team, overseen by Tracy, is comprised of clinical informatics, enterprise analytics, information technology (IT), and project management. Collectively they are relentlessly focused on creatively solving problems or opportunities that deliver greater value.

Very active in volunteer work, Tracy has served as Past President of the California Health Information Association (CHIA) and Chair of the National Advocacy & Public Policy Council for the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

Tracy received her Master of Science in Health Care Informatics from University of San Diego and a Bachelor of Science in Health Information Administration from Loma Linda University, where she is now an adjunct master’s level program professor within the Health Informatics and Information Management department. She is a Certified Healthcare CIO and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt. Tracy enjoys spending her free time with family and friends, cooking, traveling, watching movies, and loves to cheer on her son at his ice hockey games!

As a member of TrueCare’s Corporate Executive Team, Briana plays a key role in executing strategic and emerging business initiatives. Briana began her career at TrueCare as a grant writer, and now oversees multiple branches of the organization, including grant writing and management, enrollment services, project planning and development, and patient engagement and retention. She secured a $5,000,000 capital grant, which led to the construction of the TrueCare Mission Mesa Pediatrics Health Center.

Briana holds a Master’s Degree in Public Health, with a concentration in Community Health, from UCLA. She is a Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and received the 2012 TrueCare Chief of the Year award for her advocacy on behalf of the Outreach and Enrollment teams. In her spare time, Briana enjoys activities with her husband and three young boys.

Cheryl has three decades of leadership experience in the nonprofit sector, the last 10 years with FQHCs in California. Cheryl has an EMBA from the Drucker School of Management at Claremont Graduate University, a certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University, and is a Certified Lean Agent. Cheryl believes that by providing an environment where the workforce feels valued, heard and supported enables them to be better team members providing excellent services to patients. She believes that how we interact with our employees every day impacts how they go home to partner and parent. She speaks on related topics often including workforce engagement, change management, creating learning organizations, positive leadership, and personal, team and organizational resilience.

Jorge brings over a decade of experience to TrueCare as Associate Chief Medical Officer. In his role, he provides clinical oversight of the delivery of health care to ensure patients receive the highest quality wellness services and programs. He collaborates with all TrueCare departments to achieve operational and financial goals that ultimately support the organization’s pursuit of its mission – health care for all.

Jorge pursued a career in the healthcare industry after growing up in Tijuana and seeing the devastation that medical disparities have on individuals and families. He approaches his work with a drive and passion for being part of the solution for improving the overall health and wellness of the communities that TrueCare serves. His motivation is rooted in addressing patient care needs and in seeing their successful health outcomes, as they improve and live a better quality of life.

After attending Autonomous University of Baja California (UABC) School of Medicine and University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) Internal Medical Graduate program, Jorge completed his medical training at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) in the Family Medicine Residency program, where he served as chief resident. His professional path started at community health centers in San Diego and Riverside counties where he held several leadership positions, including clinic coordinator, adult medicine department chair, and chief medical officer. He is a member of American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM).

When Jorge’s not taking care of patients or thinking of ways to improve health quality, he spends time with his family, watches sports (Go Padres!), and enjoys traveling.

Deidre (Dee) began her journey with TrueCare as an accounting manager, and rapidly rose to her current position through her hard work and dedication to our mission. Prior to calling TrueCare home, she enjoyed a remarkable 31-year career in public accounting for the public, private, and non-private sectors.

Dee received her Bachelor’s Degree in business administration management and accounting from California State University Long Beach, and is a Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt. As part of the TrueCare team, Dee takes pride in making a difference in our communities. In her spare time, she enjoys listening to music, camping, and participating in community service.

Serving as Vice President of Clinical Informatics, Matt Kosel began his career with TrueCare in 2008 as a Family Practice Provider having worked to serve patients in the Ramona and San Marcos communities. Since that time, Matt has played key roles in establishing TrueCare’s Business Intelligence and Clinical Informatics Departments. Matt aims to ensure TrueCare continues to be on the forefront of using data and technology to deliver high quality patient care as well as assist TrueCare in using analytics to thrive in an ever evolving and competitive environment.

Matt holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology, a Master’s of Science in Physician Assistant Studies, as well as a Master’s degree in Clinical Informatics from San Diego State University. He is also an Accredited Epic-Builder and Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt. He recognizes the importance of and values learning about leadership and communication best practices.

In his free time, Matt enjoys running, home improvement projects, backpacking, spending time with his kids and family, and learning more about technology.

Christina New serves as a Vice President of Operations. Starting out as an Outreach worker 12 years ago, Christina went on to be a Family Planning Coordinator, Operations Specialist, Director of Woman’s Health Services Operations, Director of Operations and then Senior Director of Operations before being promoted to Vice President of Operations. In her various roles she showed excellent leadership and drive to provide quality care to patients. She’s proud to have led her team during the remodel and expansion of the beautiful Mission Mesa Women’s Health Center. Christina was also critical in leading teams during to the Covid-19 pandemic by operationalizing Covid-19 testing and Covid-19 vaccination clinics at several TrueCare locations.

Her passion to make a difference in people’s lives and overall wellness started as a child. She understood that education is key to prevention. Her passion for others led her on a path to obtain a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Health Science, with a Community Health focus, from California State University, Fresno. During her time in Fresno she volunteered at the American Heart Association and Planned Parenthood where she saw the impact health education and access to healthcare makes on communities.

Christina received her Master’s Degree in Public Health, with a concentration in Health Promotion, from National University. She is also a Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt. In 2014 and 2020 she received Leader of the Year award for her commitment and dedication to serving our diverse communities.

Christina is honored to work for an organization that’s mission driven, and holds true to our vision. When she is not in the office Christina enjoys spending time free time with her family and getting outdoors to exercise!

DeeAnn has over 20 years of Healthcare experience. She started working at the patient bedside as a Certified Nursing Assistant through college in Nebraska. After graduating college she moved west to San Diego and worked for 5 years as an Office Manager at a Skilled Nursing Facility. She continued her healthcare career at Scripps Health, working 11 years in Medical Group Management with multiple specialties including Neurosurgery, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Ophthalmology and Family Practice. A little over 4 years ago she was drawn to TrueCare's Mission and joined the team as a Director of Operations working primarily with Behavioral Health and Primary Care. She left briefly to be a mom but returned because she loved working with the TrueCare Team and its commitment to the community. Since joining the TrueCare team she has worked on multiple key projects, most recently OCHIN EPIC, a practice management and electronic health record (EHR) solution.

DeeAnn has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with minors in Biology and Women’s Studies from Nebraska Wesleyan University and Masters of Advanced Studies in Leadership of Healthcare Organizations from UCSD. She also Board Certified as a Fellow of the American college of Health Care Executives.

Anthony White brings two decades of FQHC experience to his role at TrueCare. He is passionate about building connections to grow TrueCare’s government and community initiatives. Proud to be a part of an organization that works to provides critical healthcare to marginalized communities, he is driven to move the TrueCare mission forward.

At TrueCare, Anthony leads our advocacy and engagement with elected officials representing the communities we serve. He also cultivates meaningful relationships between our stakeholders and partners. His deep connections with individuals and organizations doing work that aligns with TrueCare is a vital component of our ability to provide services and programs to those in need.

Anthony intentionally works with a nonprofit that seeks to uplift communities who are traditionally underserved and disadvantaged. In his spare time, he loves traveling – having been to dozens of countries on four continents. He also enjoys reading, particularly biographies and historical fiction.

Cathy began her career in Women’s Health, where she acquired the experience and education that prepared her for the challenges of today’s healthcare industry. Her commitment and sense of responsibility to patient care is reflected in TrueCare’s high-performing clinical outcomes and her mentoring of others in pursuit of excellence and innovation.

In her current role, Cathy focuses on sustaining NCQA’s recognition of TrueCare as a Patient Centered Medical Home. This includes working to maintain continuity and cohesiveness with population health performance, overseeing prevention and mitigation efforts in patient and staff clinical practice risk management, and monitoring clinical and operational patient satisfaction/experience.

Cathy received her Registered Nursing degree from William Rainey Harper College, her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Chamberlain University, and is a Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt. In 2018, she was recognized by the TrueCare Executive Team with a Leadership Award. Cathy’s desire to lead a balanced life includes spending time with family and friends, attending concerts, hiking, and other outdoor activities.

With over two decades of experience in IT, Ben drives TrueCare’s technology vision organizationally wide, in addition to managing the IT Security and BioMed program. Since joining TrueCare in 2021, he’s led a talented team that executes game-changing tools for care teams and patients alike. Ben focuses on using technology to empower and mobilize the TrueCare workforce with security at the forefront. His motivation for innovative advancements is always patient-focused, ensuring that all TrueCare IT systems remain online and secure. He believes this is the secret sauce to supporting providers and clinical staff so they can focus on what matters most – time with patients. With a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt to his credit, Ben is also a double San Diego Top Tech Awards nominee. He's also part of Healthcare Executives and San Diego IT Directors Group. Ben is most proud of the strides he and his team have made in modernizing the infrastructure and security posture of the organization. He credits the savvy IT and security teams for their abilities to execute and achieve progressive objectives that advance the mission of TrueCare.

Beyond work, Ben's a culinary enthusiast—cooking, grilling, and roasting coffee beans.

With more than 10 years of healthcare and nonprofit experience, Jennifer Ferrier is experienced in administrative management, strategic planning, business development, and operations. She uses her business and healthcare acumen to implement cutting-edge strategic planning and development of solutions in support of our mission, especially in the area of access. Prior to joining TrueCare, Jennifer oversaw administration and development activities at an FQHC in California’s Central Valley for five years.

As VP of Growth, she is responsible for identifying opportunities to reach more people in need through research, planning, and execution of strategic and emerging business initiatives to advance our impact on the communities we serve. Jennifer has a heartfelt interest in improving the overall health and well-being of individuals and communities with an emphasis on addressing health equity through expanding access and identifying innovative solutions to remove barriers to care.

She earned a bachelor’s in business management and entrepreneurship, holds a master’s in business administration, and is a doctoral candidate completing her dissertation in healthcare administration.

Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys traveling and immersing herself with different cultures and cuisines, hiking, reading, the performing arts, and volunteer activities.

As Vice President of Support Services at Palomar Health, Russ’ role covers a spectrum of clinical and non-clinical healthcare support services ranging from laboratory, imaging, and respiratory care to environmental services, food and nutrition, health/safety/emergency management, and volunteer and spiritual care. He has been in healthcare leadership for over 20 years and is passionate about making an impact in our communities as part of the TrueCare Board of Directors. He believes every community member should have the right to healthcare and feel comfortable accessing it. Outside of work, Russ enjoys spending time with his family, woodworking, hiking, and going to the beach.

Andrés is a school counselor for ages K-12, and an active member of the North County community. At the age of nine he first came to TrueCare with his family for healthcare services, and that is where his passion for healthcare started taking shape. As a healthcare advocate, Andrés believes preventative maintenance is key to having a healthy society.

Dulce currently works as an Administrative Specialist with Associated Students Inc. at CSUSM, where she empowers students to become advocates for themselves and their educational careers. She supports the TrueCare mission and believes that healthcare should be accessible for all. She is a strong advocate for the right to quality healthcare regardless of socio-economic status. In her personal time, Dulce enjoys spending time with her family, meditating, reading, and gardening.

Desmond Young is Director of Business Development and Community Relations at Riverside Recovery Resources (RRR), a nonprofit focused on alcohol, drug, and other related recovery services. Desmond attended the University of Texas at Austin and majored in biology. Over his career, he’s built his business acumen in roles as HR Director and Regional Operations Manager. Desmond is personally active in the recovery community. He is a founding board member of the community-based public health organization Inland Empire Harm Reduction (IEHR), and a certified facilitator for anger management and domestic violence intervention. His dedication to serving his communities with heart informs his efforts in removing barriers to health care for the less fortunate.

Adriana is the Migrant Health and Support Services Specialist with the San Diego County Office of Education. She has first-hand experience with the challenges of providing access to healthcare to underserved populations. She was drawn to the Board of Directors by the leadership TrueCare exemplifies in the community. Adriana’s passion for healthcare stems from her desire to unify access to quality healthcare for everyone.

With over 20 years of experience in the for-impact sector, Carmen founded and serves as CEO of Housing as a Platform, Inc., a national nonprofit organization that connects residents of affordable housing to much-needed resources. To address system changes and equity issues, Carmen creates lasting partnerships and develops programs that help change the lives of low-income BIPOC individuals and families. Her expertise in national initiatives in the areas of financial capabilities, resident engagement, and community leadership are a real asset to our Board of Directors. Carmen is passionate about helping individuals and communities change their future. She is proud to support TrueCare, which directly aligns with her belief in high-quality, affordable and culturally sensitive health care for all.

A retired Hospital Plant Services Director, Craig brings years of healthcare policy and procedure experience to the TrueCare Board of Directors. He was eager to join the board, as he believes quality healthcare needs to be maintained and expanded to all underserved individuals. In his free time, Craig enjoys traveling and immersing himself in different cultures.

Jay is a nurse practitioner who specializes in adult primary care, nephrology, gerontology, and psychiatry-mental health. He’s passionate about advocating for patients and their health care needs. As he works to promote healthy communities and disease prevention through a holistic approach, Jay provides expert nursing care and education through his clinical practice of HAWON Services. He is a member of the California Association for Nurse Practitioners and the Philippine Nurses Association of San Diego County. Outside of the exam room, Jay enjoys traveling, tennis, yoga, Zumba, Kung Fu, Tai Chi, and photography.

As a TrueCare Board member, Karen’s extensive experience in business development and public relations provides key insights into developing meaningful relationships with donors in North County. In 2011 and 2013 she was awarded the Volunteer of the Year award from the North County Philanthropy Council. In her personal time, Karen enjoys helping San Diego youth develop professionally and grow as servant leaders in their communities. She believes in the TrueCare mission and that every person deserves to have access to quality healthcare.

Katie Ramos is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with extensive experience working in the San Diego community. She is a firm believer in the impact that a community health center like TrueCare can make. Katie sees first-hand the paramount importance of providing access to both physical and mental health care for underserved and marginalized communities. She also recognizes TrueCare’s value beyond the clinic walls to the families of San Diego and Riverside. In addition to her social work, Katie is a trainer in the Community Resiliency Model as well as Mental Health First Aid, working with community members to teach them how to respond to a mental health or behavioral health crisis.

Katie’s passion for volunteering in the community has connected her with various community nonprofits over the years. As a wife and mother, she enjoys music and going to concerts, hiking, baking, and arts and crafts.

Dr. Yphantides earned his medical degree at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and completed his family medicine residency at UCSD in 2000, serving as Chief Resident. From 2000 to 2006, Dr. Yphantides served as Outpatient Medical Director of a network of community health centers, serving the uninsured and low-income residents in the local area. From 2006 to 2022, he worked with a large multi-specialty group in San Diego, serving as Medical Director for the urgent care department and on the medical group’s board of directors. Dr. Yphantides currently serves as Chief Medical Officer of Palomar Health Medical Group. Dr. Yphantides has a contagious passion for improving the quality, efficiency, and empathy of care delivered to patients.

Walt is one of the founders of TrueCare and is proud to sit on the Board of Directors. As a retired clinical social worker, he is passionate to help establish clinics for low-income individuals unable to secure adequate healthcare. Walt is a member of the National Association of Social Workers and feels everyone has the right to quality healthcare. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and family, attending sporting events with his sons and son-in-law, and reading.