Press Release

The CalOptima Board of Directors has appointed interim CEO Michael Hunn as permanent CEO of the public agency, effective March 3. Hunn had been serving as interim CEO since November 2021 following the retirement of Richard Sanchez, who had served as an interim and then permanent CEO of CalOptima since April 2020.

Prior to his role at CalOptima, Hunn worked with various local organizations in the health care industry as a CEO for nearly 25 years. He was most recently president of The Hunn Group, providing advisory services to hospitals, health systems, physicians and a variety of health care-related clients. Prior to that, he served as Chief Executive for Providence Health & Services Southern California Region — the second largest health system serving one in four people in Los Angeles County.

“Each and every one of our members is counting on us to be champions for their health, to ease their way, to connect them with the right resources, at the right time, and I’m honored to be given the opportunity to serve them and be held accountable for ensuring we get it right each and every time,” Hunn said. “My past experience has given me an ability to effectively identify and collaborate with providers and administrators, and we’re actively coalition building in Orange County to meet the many needs of our community.”

Hunn served as a governing board member of the Hospital Association of Southern California and was past chairman. He was also a board member of the California Hospital Association and a board secretary as well. He is a past board chairman of the Alliance of Catholic Health Care and the National Health Foundation. Hunn also has a biomedical ethics background, speaking frequently on end-of-life topics and providing CME (continuing medical education) programs to physicians and boards.

“The CalOptima Board is confident that Michael Hunn is the right leader to steer CalOptima through the recent Medi-Cal changes for our residents who are most in need,” said Supervisor Andrew Do, Chair of the CalOptima Board of Directors. “Michael’s expertise in health care policy development, strong reputation for developing and executing strategies, and proven track record of effective leadership will be instrumental in helping us implement and integrate future programs that seek to improve quality of life and the health outcomes in our community.”

Hunn holds an M.A. from Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in Systematic Theology with a concentration in Morals, focused on biomedical ethics, and a B.A. from Cardinal Glennon College with a major in Philosophy and a minor in American History.

A county organized health system, CalOptima provides publicly funded health care coverage for low-income children, adults, seniors and people with disabilities in Orange County, California. CalOptima’s mission is to provide members with access to quality health care services delivered in a cost-effective and compassionate manner. In total, CalOptima serves more than 879,000 members with a network of more than 10,400 primary care doctors and specialists as well as 41 acute and rehab hospitals.