ABOUT US

The Healthy Desert, Healthy You Summit is presented by the Desert Healthcare District & Foundation, whose mission is to achieve optimal health at all stages of life for all District residents. Through partnerships, strategic investments, and community engagement, the District & Foundation works to address health needs and strengthen access to resources throughout the Coachella Valley.

The Third Annual Healthy Desert, Healthy You Summit brought together more than 500 community members, organizations, and leaders from across the Coachella Valley to explore how social determinants of health influence individual and community well-being. This year’s summit focused on four key areas: healthcare access, behavioral health, housing, and workforce development.

The Desert Healthcare District & Foundation Board and staff extend our thanks and appreciation to all attendees at the 2026 Healthy Desert Healthy You Summit on September 10. More than 400 people participated this year. The summit would not have been possible without the incomparable panelists, keynote speakers, sponsors, vendors, nonprofit partners, residents, and the dedicated Hocker Productions team.

Please check out the gallery for photos and the health resources on this site. We’ll see you at the 2027 summit.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Dr. Angelica Geter, DrPH, MPH

Founder, AGC | Data and Impact Collective

Dr. Angelica Geter, DrPH, MPH, is a nationally recognized public health executive, keynote speaker, and former Chief Health Officer for the City of Atlanta. With more than 20 years of experience and 30+ peer-reviewed publications, she is known for advancing equity through strategic leadership, cross-sector collaboration, and data-driven innovation.

Through her firm she founded, AGC | Data and Impact Collective, Dr. Geter closes healthcare deserts through advising, strategic planning, and data analysis for health systems, foundations, and corporations. Recent engagements include co-leading the Desert Healthcare District & Foundation’s five-year regional health strategy for the Coachella Valley, leading the development of healthy neighborhood metrics for the City of Atlanta Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative, serving as Senior Health and Equity Advisor for 26Health’s Atlanta expansion. Her work that has expanded healthcare access for more than 300,000 residents and impacted the health of more than 500,000 families.

Her insights have been featured in Forbes, Essence, HuffPost, CNBC, and more. A University of Kentucky College of Public Health Hall of Fame inductee and Emory 40 Under Forty honoree, she serves on the National Emerging Leaders Council and Southeast Regional Board of the American Heart Association.

CALL TO ACTION SPEAKER

Dr. Takashi Wada

Vice President of Population Health and CalAIM, Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP)

Dr. Takashi Wada is the Vice President of Population Health and CalAIM at Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) since June 2025. In this role, Dr. Wada provides clinical strategic leadership in developing and implementing IEHP’s population health efforts and fulfilling requirements under California’s CalAIM initiative.

Previously, Dr. Wada served as IEHP’s Chief Medical Officer from 2021 to 2025 and as Vice President from 2019 to 2021. He has also held several public health plan and public-sector leadership roles, including County Public Health Officer, County Mental Health Director, Chief Medical Officer, and Director of Public Health Services.

Dr. Wada earned his medical degree and Master of Public Health from UCLA and holds a bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences from UC Riverside. Throughout his career, he has been dedicated to advancing care for underserved communities and has practiced extensively as a family physician in community clinics serving individuals experiencing homelessness, as well as in rural regions of Mexico and South America.

Community Impact

Over 400 people gathered to explore how social determinants of health impact overall well-being. Focused on behavioral health, healthcare access, housing, and workforce development, the summit fostered meaningful collaboration and advanced innovative solutions for a healthier, more equitable Coachella Valley.

Speakers

The Healthy Desert, Healthy You Summit featured more than 40 speakers selected for their expertise and commitment to improving community health. They shared insights and strategies on behavioral health, healthcare access, housing, and workforce development while highlighting opportunities for collaboration.

Spanish Translation & ASL Support

Spanish interpretation and American Sign Language support helped ensure attendees could fully participate in the summit experience. These services helped create a more inclusive, welcoming environment by reducing language and communication barriers for participants.

2026 SPEAKERS & MODERATORS

Please click on the speakers’ and moderators’ photos to read their full bios. 

Kimberly Barraza, DHCD&F Board President
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Kimberly Barraza, DHCD&F Board President

Desert Healthcare District and Foundation

Donna Craig
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Donna Craig

Desert Healthcare District &Foundation

Dr. Angelica Geter, DrPH, MPH
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Dr. Angelica Geter, DrPH, MPH

AGC | Data and Impact Collective

Dr. Takashi Wada, MD
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Dr. Takashi Wada, MD

Inland Empire Health Plan

Mona Babauta
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Mona Babauta

SunLine Transit Agency

Seham Saba
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Seham Saba

Riverside Latino Commission

Mihai Patru
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Mihai Patru

Blue Zones Palm Springs

Melanie Lewis
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Melanie Lewis

The Pink Journey Foundation

Dr. Steven Hytry, PsyD
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Dr. Steven Hytry, PsyD

Coachella Valley Behavioral Health

Michael Walsh
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Michael Walsh

Riverside County: Department of Housing and Workforce Solutions

Tamara Ruffin Martin
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Tamara Ruffin Martin

Starting Over Inc.

Ed Gerber
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Ed Gerber

Lestonnac Free Clinic

Sheila Thornton
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Sheila Thornton

OneFuture Coachella Valley

Chris Yingling
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Chris Yingling

ABC Recovery Center

Jason Tang
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Jason Tang

Riverside County Workforce Development

Dr. Jill Hingston, LMFT
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Dr. Jill Hingston, LMFT

The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert

Elena Fernandez
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Elena Fernandez

St. John’s Community Health

Kaela A. Adams, LMFT
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Kaela A. Adams, LMFT

Riverside County Office of Education

Espy Ortiz
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Espy Ortiz

Martha's Village & Kitchen

Melinda Cordero-Bárzaga
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Melinda Cordero-Bárzaga

Visión y Compromiso

Dr. Gemma Kim, MD
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Dr. Gemma Kim, MD

DPMG Health

Kraig Johnson
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Kraig Johnson

Jewish Family Service of the Desert

Lieutenant Michael Torres
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Lieutenant Michael Torres

Palm Springs Police Department

Barbara Workman
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Barbara Workman

Desert Access and Mobility

Susan Kadel, BSN, RN
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Susan Kadel, BSN, RN

Desert Sands Unified School District (DSUSD)

Victor Cisneros, MD
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Victor Cisneros, MD

Eisenhower Health

Cat Ferguson
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Cat Ferguson

Independent Living Partnership

Gabriel Maldonado
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Gabriel Maldonado

TruEvolution

Conrado Bárzaga, M.D.
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Conrado Bárzaga, M.D.

Innercare

Ian Gabriel
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Ian Gabriel

Lift to Rise

Monica Aitchison
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Monica Aitchison

DAP Health

Amanda Galindo
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Amanda Galindo

Coachella Valley Rescue Mission

Marcus Cannon, LMFT
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Marcus Cannon, LMFT

Riverside University Health System-Behavioral Health

Sarah Fry
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Sarah Fry

Collge of the Desert - Nursing Program

Liliana Davalos, MBA
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Liliana Davalos, MBA

Coachella Valley Women's Business Center (CSUSB)

Alejandro Espinoza
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Alejandro Espinoza

Desert Healthcare District & Foundation

Moderator: Thalia Hayden
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Moderator: Thalia Hayden

NBC Palm Springs

Moderator: Hernán Quintas
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Moderator: Hernán Quintas

KUNA Telemundo 15

Moderator: Olivia Sandusky
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Moderator: Olivia Sandusky

NBC Palm Springs

Moderator: Lauren Del Sarto
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Moderator: Lauren Del Sarto

Desert Health News

Moderator: Patrick Evans
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Moderator: Patrick Evans

KESQ News Channel 3

Moderator: Kendall Balchan
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Moderator: Kendall Balchan

The Palm Springs Post (The Palm Desert Post & The Indio Post)

Moderator: Laurilie Jackson
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Moderator: Laurilie Jackson

College of the Desert

Moderator: Katie Boer
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Moderator: Katie Boer

KESQ News Channel 3

2026 SPONSORS

Thank you to our sponsors!

MEDIA SPONSORS:

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VENDORS:

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PODCAST

About

Presented by the Desert Healthcare District & Foundation, the Healthy Desert, Healthy You podcast explores a variety of important health and wellness topics affecting Coachella Valley residents — from environmental health to primary and mental healthcare. Each episode features a health expert, nonprofit leader, notable advocate, community partner, board director, or regional stakeholder who’s engaged in improving life in the desert.

 

The podcast is hosted by Will Dean, director of communications and marketing for the Desert Healthcare District & Foundation.

RESOURCES

Search for free or reduced-cost services like medical care, food, job training, and more.

If you would like to learn more and find resources near you related to behavioral health, healthcare access, housing, and workforce, use the search bar below to explore programs and services available in your community.

Connect IE is a free online resource directory that connects individuals and families with local programs and services, making it easier to find support based on your needs and location.

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Copyright 2025 Desert Healthcare District. All rights reserved
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