Alicia Espinoza, MPH, started with the County of San Diego in 2022 and serves as the Chief of the Office of Border Health under Public Health Services, Health and Human Services Agency. In this role, she facilitates collaborative activities among local, state, and federal organizations working in the Baja California border region. She also participates in numerous projects, ranging from emergency preparedness to mental health.

The most important aspect of her job is building trusting and strategic partnerships with leadership in San Diego and Tijuana to facilitate cross-border collaboration. She currently chairs the Queso Fresco Task Force and facilitates the Cross-border EMS Task force in collaboration with various stakeholders, in addition to coordinating other projects, symposiums, and binational events. Previous to her time with the County, she devoted 15 years to the non-profit sector, working with Latino youth and families under various prevention and educational programs.

Ms. Espinoza is passionate about building new partnerships to promote a healthy California-Baja California Region. As a first-generation Latina, she holds a master’s in public health and is excited to be enrolled in a Doctorate in Public Health program through SDSU and UCSD. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her children and husband or grabbing an iced coffee with friends.