As a globally recognized public health leader, Conrado E. Bárzaga, MD, has spent over 20 years developing and implementing innovative public health programs in the US and abroad. He currently serves as vice president and chief project officer at Innercare, a private, non-profit organization providing an array of comprehensive healthcare services to residents throughout Imperial and Riverside counties with an emphasis on meeting the healthcare needs of historically underserved populations.
Dr. Bárzaga’s extensive experience in philanthropy, international public health systems and lived experience as an immigrant from Cuba has shaped his values and commitment to improving the health outcomes of underserved communities.
An experienced executive, he has led large public health organizations, including Desert Healthcare District & Foundation and The Center for Oral Health. Throughout his career, he has developed and strengthened key partnerships with nonprofit providers and local and state government agencies.
His strong commitment to public service, advancing public health and vast experience in philanthropy made Dr. Bárzaga a perfect fit for IEHP Foundation’s Board of Directors. He passionately serves as the Foundation Treasurer and is actively involved in several committees.
Outside of his professional commitments, Dr. Bárzaga enjoys playing tennis, traveling with his wife and enjoying quality time with friends and family at home.
We asked Dr. Bárzaga a few questions about serving on the Foundation Board and his vision for improving access to equitable and socially just healthcare for all in the region.
Q: Why did you join the IEHP Foundation Board?
A: As much of my actions, joining the IEHP Foundation Board is guided by my personal values of public service and social justice. Our community needs partners who embrace these principles to advance together on adaptive leadership challenges facing our region, which requires changing existing paradigms. Also, I was asked by IEHP CEO Jarrod McNaughton to join the Board, and you know that Jarrod is a gentle leader who is always inspired by doing the right thing. IEHP Foundation is one of the right things we need in the Inland Empire. I am also proud of joining a great group of people, my colleagues on the Board, old friends, and newer ones who are also inspired by our mission of “inspiring and igniting Vibrant Health in the Inland Empire.”
Q: What is the importance of IEHP establishing this Foundation? And what does it mean for the community you serve?
A: IEHP Foundation is one of the most inspiring developments that has occurred in the Inland Empire for a very long time. It creates a promise that our future will be brighter. That our social sector will be able to thrive. It won’t be easy, but the Foundation is creating the conditions to support regional change through advocacy, innovation, and through a thriving partnership with the nonprofit and government sectors.
Q: What are some of the strengths/opportunities within the Inland Empire?
A: The greatest strengths are the people of the IE. Facilitating and promoting regional synergies, breaking siloes and harnessing the power of collective impact is, in my opinion, the greatest opportunity and a great adaptive leadership challenge.
Q: What do you feel is the biggest challenge facing the region?
A: Profound health disparities that have been created by unjust policies, rooted in and inspired by white supremacy; Decaying environmental conditions; Lack of affordable housing; Limited economic opportunities; Brain drain to nearby regions; Geographic maldistribution of healthcare resources.
Q: What is your favorite place to visit in the IE?
A: My backyard. Our work demands great amounts of energy. It is in my backyard, at home, surrounded by love, by my family, especially my wife; it is where I find the source that replenishes my batteries for the next day, for the next week, for the next mission.
Q: What does “inspiring and igniting Vibrant Health” mean to you?
A: To me, inspiring and igniting Vibrant Health means leadership. Health is something we all aspire to have. We need a collective leadership to ignite it, to build living conditions, an environment, a better place to call home, and a better quality of life through a movement that harnesses the beauty of the Inland Empire and its people.