Committee approves reappointments and new appointment to San Francisco Health Plan board

The Rules Committee considered Item 2, a slate of appointments and reappointments to the San Francisco Health Authority (San Francisco Health Plan) board. Candidates collectively described experience in hospitals, the San Francisco Department of Public Health, community clinics and behavioral health, and pledged to address post‑pandemic recovery, CalAIM implementation and Medi‑Cal service coordination.

Speakers included Dr. Jen Zhang (Chinese Hospital/seat 2), Roland Pickens (Department of Public Health/Laguna Honda Hospital/seat 3), Emily Webb (St. Luke's/CPMC/seat 4), Eddie Chan (Northeast Medical Services/seat 6), Dr. Joseph Wu (Chinese Community Healthcare Association/seat 7), Dr. Steven Fugaro (San Francisco Marin Medical Society/seat 8), and Steve Fields (behavioral health representative/seat 12). Each summarized relevant experience and asked for reappointment or appointment.

Sumi Souza, speaking on behalf of the San Francisco Health Plan, expressed gratitude for the nominees' volunteer service and urged the committee to confirm them. The chair recommended a positive committee recommendation; the committee recorded a roll call and approved the appointments without objection (Chan aye, Madeline/Mandelmann aye, Peskin aye). The appointments will be forwarded to the full Board for final action.

The candidates emphasized priorities including serving Medi‑Cal beneficiaries, coordinating care across hospitals and clinics, and implementing CalAIM-related program changes; one candidate cited vaccination and service numbers provided by their organization for context.

The committee's recommendation advances the appointments to the full Board of Supervisors.