SANTA BARBARA — Dr. Takashi Wada, Director of the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department, is joining CenCal Health as Deputy Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Wada will join Dr. Darryl Leong, from Care First Health Plan in Los Angeles, who will serve as Chief Medical Officer for CenCal Health.
“Dr. Leong and Dr. Wada will create an excellent team to lead the clinical direction of CenCal Health. We couldn’t be happier” said Bob Freeman, CEO of CenCal Health. “The future of health care is ever-changing. Dr. Leong’s knowledge and expertise in health plan administration; coupled with Dr. Wada’s knowledge of publicly-sponsored health programs and the local medical community, will serve to benefit everyone, but especially our plan members and provider partners,” continued Freeman.
Dr. Wada stated, “I greatly enjoyed my time at the Public Health Department, and sincerely appreciate the support of department employees, county administration, and the Board of Supervisors. However, it’s time for me to embark on a new challenge.”
“Joining CenCal Health and working with Dr. Leong will be an exciting and educational experience; as well as an opportunity to continue to serve the community as part of a mission-driven health plan,” Wada concluded.
“I’m very pleased and excited about coming to the Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo area to work for CenCal Health” said Dr. Leong. “After a long career in health care, I embrace the opportunity to work at a community-sponsored health plan with the reputation of CenCal Health. I also look forward to working with Dr. Wada in charting CenCal Health’s clinical direction in the coming years.”
About Dr. Wada: Takashi Wada, MD MPH is a family medicine physician who has served as the Director of the Santa Barbara County Department of Public Health since March 2010. Dr. Wada was also concurrently Interim Director of the Santa Barbara County Department of Alcohol, Drugs and Mental Health Services between November 2012 and December 2014. The Public Health Department has a $90 million annual budget and 600 employees, including over 30 physicians and mid-level providers serving patients in 8 county-run clinic sites.
About Dr. Leong: Darryl Leong, MD is a board-certified pediatrician, public health professional and managed care medical director with over 20 years of local, state and national experience. He has been a Chief Medical Information Officer and Medical Director for Care First Health Plan in Monterey Park, CA (with a brief interruption) since 2007. Dr. Leong also has extensive experience with federally qualified health centers and other medical practices.
About CenCal Health: CenCal Health provides health insurance to the largest number of people on the Central Coast, providing health coverage for approximately 25 percent of residents in Santa Barbara County and 20 percent of residents San Luis Obispo County. CenCal Health coverage is accepted by the vast majority of local health providers. CenCal Health also provides education and assistance to its members in order to reduce potential health problems from chronic illness such as diabetes and asthma. For more information, visit www.cencalhealth.org. Find CenCal Health on Facebook.