Yolanda Richardson who is currently the secretary of the California Government Operations Agency, will be the new Chief Executive Officer of the San Francisco Health Plan (SFHP). SFHP’s board said that she will be assuming charge effective April 4 this year, replacing John F Grgurina, Jr..
- Selection after rigorous search: Richardson was picked after a meticulous nationwide search, facilitated by recruiting firm Russell Reynolds Associates. The process involved extensive interviews with SFHP Governing Board members which was supported by the outgoing CEO Grgurina to ensure the new CEO would uphold SFHP’s mission to improve health outcomes of the diverse San Francisco communities through successful partnerships. “I am honored to be selected to lead SFHP, a strong, innovative organization with a compassionate mission and an outstanding network of health care providers, staff and members,” said Richardson.
- Richardson a vastly experienced hand: Richardson brings with her more than 20 years of healthcare leadership experience, including her current role as Governor Newsom’s Secretary of the California Government Operations Agency. As secretary, she has been leading 11 state departments and offices essential to the effective administration of California state government. Lauding her appointment Grgurina said, “Yolanda is a true advocate of affordable health care for all and has had a lifelong commitment to service with proven capabilities to lead through extraordinary times; I am confident she will guide SFHP through its next stage of evolution.”
- Recognized as ‘Warrior Women’ for Covid-19 work: For her wide-ranging work during the pandemic, Yolanda was named “Public Administrator of the Year” last year by the American Society of Public Administration (Sacramento Chapter) and one of five “Warrior Women” leading the fight against COVID-19 in 2021 by California Women Lead. After a call from Governor Newsom to help increase the pace of vaccine administration statewide, she launched a “Get Out the Vaccine” campaign in partnership with UCLA and community organizations statewide to promote vaccinations. The special drive saw them knocking on more than three million doors to help Californians access the COVID-19 vaccine.
- Instrumental in Covered California’s growth: Before she joined the Agency, Secretary Richardson helped found Covered California, regarded as one of the nation’s most successful health insurance exchanges. Since 2011, she helped the organization in becoming one of the nation’s most successful Affordable Care Act exchanges. By the time she left the role of Chief Deputy Executive Director in 2016, Richardson’s efforts had helped enroll millions of Californians in health coverage and cut the state’s rate of the uninsured by half.
- Grgurina was at the helm for 14 years: Grgurina had announced his retirement on August 6 last year after a 14 years tenure with SFHP and a distinguished career in the healthcare industry spanning three decades. “Finding someone committed to SFHP’s mission and culture to support our members, the safety net providers of San Francisco and our staff were the most important factors to me.” said Grgurina, Jr.