The Health Officers Association of California (HOAC) is a membership organization representing the physician health officers in California’s city and county jurisdictions. We provide public health-focused Continuing Medical Education for physicians, provide technical expertise to the state legislature on matters related to public health, engage in advocacy, and conduct other special projects to advance public health.
Vision
Optimize the impact of health officers to improve health and well-being for all.
HOAC Membership
THE MEMBERSHIP OF HOAC CONSISTS OF THE STANDING AND RETIRED HEALTH OFFICERS OF COUNTIES AND CITIES IN GOOD STANDING WITH RESPECT TO HOAC DUES.
Services Provided for Membership Dues
HOAC is a membership organization funded by city and county members. Services provided to members include
- Reduced rate for our twice yearly sessions to provide public health-related Continuing Medical Education
- Tracking of all legislation, and weekly legislative reports on bills pertinent to public health
- Updates on the status of the state budget
- Special reports on regulatory issues and court decisions impacting the practice of public health at the local level
- Provision of technical information to the legislature on the practice of public health at the local level
- Sponsorship of legislation on key disease prevention issues related to the public’s health
- HOAC provides a voice for California’s physician health officers on important issues, whether we are participating in a Cal EPA hearing on cap and trade agreements or visiting Congressional offices to ask for the inclusion of public health language in national health care reform legislation
HOAC Board of Directors
Officers
Directors at Large
Gail Newel, MD, MPH
President
(emeritus)
Ori Tzvieli, MD
President Elect
Contra Costa County
Nancy Williams, MD, MPH
Past-President, Treasurer
(emeritus)
Aimee Sisson, MD, MPH
Secretary
Yolo County
Joseph P. Iser, MD, DrPH, MSc
(emeritus)
Cameron Kaiser, MD, MPH
Solano County (representative)
Robert Benjamin, MD, MPH
(emeritus)
Dave Canton, DO, MPH, JD
Butte County
Robert J. Oldham, MD, MSHA
Placer County
Karen Relucio, MD
(emeritus)
Anissa Davis, MD, MPH
City of Long Beach
Eric Sergienko, MD, MPH Mariposa County
Penny Borenstein, MD, MPH
San Luis Obispo County
Timothy Peters, MD
Tehama County
HOAC Staff
Ms. DeBurgh has been working with HOAC since 2005. She earned her undergraduate degree in politics from U.C. Santa Cruz in 2000. With assistance from the HOAC Board of Directors, in 2011, she earned her Master’s in Public Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and was inducted into the Delta Omega Honors Society for Public Health.
Ms. DeBurgh was trained by former executive director Bruce Pomer over a three year transition period. She was appointed executive director of HOAC on October 1, 2014.
Ms. Navarro has been working with HOAC since 2012 after 4 years with Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technology, and 10 years with the Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op. These past positions contributed to her extensive background in customer relations and bookkeeping. With a degree in Graphic Communications, she is also studying Urban Permaculture Design and Regenerative Agriculture.
Ms. Navarro lives in Sacramento with her son and spends her free time maintaining an organic garden, soap making, crafting, reading, hiking and dancing.
Ms. Peery joined the HOAC team in 2022. She is a California State University of Sacramento alumni with a Bachelors in Art. In addition, she holds associate’s degrees in social and behavioral science and in Language Arts from Butte College. In 2015 her passion for community and democracy brought her to a vocation in service with the Nevada County Library, providing information and digital literacy to individuals of all ages and walks of life.
Ms. Peery lives in the California foothills with her two daughters. She is an avid gardener, lover of books, and artist.
Isabella has been with HOAC since 2022, and previously worked as a contract lobbyist to advance reproductive healthcare, housing production, and racial equity. She also worked in local government, supporting major public and private civic, arts, and parks projects.
Isabella is the first in her family to graduate from college, earning her undergraduate degree in philosophy from Willamette University.
Ms. Ruiz-Sierra joined the HOAC team as a legislative analyst in January 2025. She previously worked as an attorney with expertise in disability and personal injury. She earned her juris doctor degree at King Hall School of Law at U.C. Davis. She has previous work experience in harm reduction, civil rights, and education. She holds a bachelor’s degree in cultural anthropology from U.C. Berkeley.
Ms. Ruiz-Sierra lives in Sacramento with her husband and a very spoiled cat. Her hobbies include travel, entertaining, and sewing. If she won the lottery, she would go back to school permanently.
If the information you are looking for is not on our website, call our office between
9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday
916-441-7405