Board and Staff

(2018- November 2026) A proud 40-year resident of Cathedral City, Evett PerezGil was employed as a community health worker for more than a year in the city’s Dream Homes neighborhood. The experience provided her with the tools to uplift, inspire and advocate for residents. Through the Dream Homes Initiative, she also honed her philanthropy skills. In addition, Ms. PerezGil has been a long-term volunteer at the Boys and Girls Club of Cathedral City, supporting the indoor soccer league and other programs for participating youths. Helping and serving the undeserved are principles she strives to live by. Evett was often in attendance during the Desert Healthcare District’s efforts to educate the public on expansion in 2018. She’s committed to encouraging and supporting health and wellness issues that affect the diverse communities the District serves. Ms. PerezGil was first elected to serve in November 2018. In 2022, she was unchallenged, retained her seat on the Board, and was named Board president by her colleagues. She was re-elected to serve as president in 2024.

(November 2020-November 2024) Elected from Zone 3 of the Desert Healthcare District, -- which includes parts of Cathedral City, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Palm Desert, Palm Springs and Rancho Mirage -- Dr. Carmina Zavala brings invaluable experience as a mental health professional to the Board of Directors. She has worked with clinics across the Coachella Valley that serve residents of various ages with psychological distress and other challenges. She recently earned her doctoral degree in applied clinical psychology through The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. In December 2022, she was elected by her colleagues on the Desert Healthcare District and Foundation Board to serve as vice-president. Dr. Zavala looks forward to channeling her efforts toward designing and implementing strategies to improve health services. 

(November 2022) The Healthcare District and Foundation Board recently welcomed Kimberly Barraza. She is a senior district representative and policy advisor for State Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia. A resident in the District's Zone 6, she will serve a four-year term. Barraza, who is knowledgeable about the state Legislature and budget process, brings to the Board experience working directly with community members and local, state, and federal policymakers. "I hope to use my experience and knowledge to be able to secure financial resources and develop [a] funding mechanism that will facilitate the enhancement and expansion of health and wellness services for Coachella Valley residents, particularly those in the areas of highest needs," she said. Barraza has lived in the Coachella Valley for 16 years.  In 2023, she was elected Board secretary to serve during 2024.

(2014-2026) A licensed registered nurse with over 45 years of healthcare experience, Carole Rogers previously served as a Director and Board Chairwoman with the Eden Township Healthcare District (Castro Valley, CA). Her employment history includes the position of director of health financing systems for Seton Medical Center in Pacifica, and as executive director at Mercy Health Plan - Mercy Medical Center in San Diego, Contra Costa Health Providers in Walnut Creek, Diablo Valley IPA/PPO in Concord, and Contra Costa Health Plan in Martinez. She has applied her medical training and volunteer spirit in many capacities, including for Hurricane Katrina Victims and as a Rotary team member on projects in Zimbabwe and Ghana. In December 2022, Ms. Rogers was named Board secretary and served in the position for a year.

(2016- November 2024) Dr. Zendle is a physician specializing in internal medicine and geriatrics. In 2010, he retired from Kaiser Permanente and joined Coachella Valley Volunteers in Medicine, a no-charge clinic in Indio offering primary medical and dental services to low-income residents without health insurance. At CVVIM, he served as a volunteer physician, board member and medical director. He changed his status from medical director to volunteer in January 2018, to focus his attention on the Desert Healthcare District and Foundation. He formerly served as the District and Foundation's Board president.

(January 2019-November 2024) Leticia De Lara brings extensive leadership experience and a deep understanding of how government works to the Board. She currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Regional Access Project Foundation. Prior to joining RAP in 2014, she spent five years as the district director for Fourth District Riverside County Supervisor John J. Benoit. That followed almost 11 years as the chief of staff for Benoit’s predecessor, Supervisor Roy Wilson. A lifelong Coachella Valley resident who’s made public service a priority, Ms. De Lara has served as vice-chairwoman of the Continuum of Care Board of Governance, and board director with Clinicas de Salud del Pueblo, Lift to Rise and Riverside County First 5 Commission. She formerly served as the Desert Healthcare District and Foundation's Board president.

Leads the agency staff in implementing its strategic plan, grants program, outreach and internal processes, under the direction of the Board of Directors, to advance community wellness in the Coachella Valley.

Email: cchristensen@dhcd.org 

Oversees the organization's grantmaking program as well as develops, implements, and oversees programming. Develops strategies for evaluating the impact of the organization's work and works closely with the CEO in developing health initiatives and special projects that will improve the availability, accessibility, and quality of healthcare programs for District residents.

 Email: dcraig@dhcd.org 

Plans, develops and reports outreach efforts and programs to build relationships between the District and the community, and implements services to match needs.

Email: aespinoza@dhcd.org 

Establishes financial status by developing and implementing systems for collecting, analyzing, verifying and reporting financial information.

Email: etaylor@dhcd.org 

Develops and implements external and internal communications, marketing and public relations strategies and materials to engage and inform the public.

Email: wdean@dhcd.org 

Works to strengthen data sharing relationships, conducts data analysis to address health disparities and inequities, and helps to provide grant program oversight and administration. 

Email: mkane@dhcd.org 

Supports the CEO with complex project management and administrative duties; coordinates District election proceedings, oversees Board and committee meetings, and develops Board documents.

Email: ahayles@dhcd.org 

Responsible for administrative duties such as organizing and expediting workflow for the District’s administrative and program departments.

 Email: ehuskey@dhcd.org

Email: sRodriguez@dhcd.org 

Assists in the Desert Healthcare District and Foundation's daily tasks and campaigns to inform the Coachella Valley community and stakeholders about the communication and marketing efforts about programs, services and policy to advance health and wellness.

Email: cmarquez@dhcd.org  

Responsible for researching and analyzing community needs, as well as supporting the creation and management of grantmaking opportunities.

Email: gmontano@dhcd.org