The Californer - Gold Coast Health Plan Appoints New Chief Medical Officer

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Thought and action leader in advancing health care equity now leads GCHP's medical team

CAMARILLO, Calif. - Californer -- Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) today announced the appointment of Dr. Felix Nuñez as its new Chief Medical Officer (CMO), effective immediately.

Dr. Nuñez is an accomplished board-certified family physician and health care leader who brings to Ventura County the experience and expertise gained over more than 25 years of leadership in managed care and health care delivery. A proud native Angeleno and Mexican-American, Dr. Nuñez is passionate about improving health care access and quality of care for underserved and vulnerable populations.

"Dr. Nuñez is an innovator and creative problem solver, a thought and action leader, and above all, his work is dedicated to the communities we serve," said Nick Liguori, GCHP's chief executive officer. "We are honored to have him join our executive team and look forward to his leadership as the Medi-Cal program evolves to serve the broad needs of its most vulnerable populations."

Dr. Nuñez's work demonstrates his commitment to advancing diversity in medicine. He has contributed his expertise as a guest lecturer and for published articles on healthcare for the underserved, healthcare models for Latinos, and health services organizations and financing.

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"I am excited to lead Gold Coast Health Plan's medical teams as chief medical officer," Dr. Nuñez said. "I hope to advance Ventura County's community health model of care by considering how family, neighborhoods, and lifestyle impact the health and well-being of individuals and families."

Dr. Nuñez joined GCHP in 2022 as associated chief medical officer. Prior to GCHP, he served for eight years as Inland Empire Regional Medical Director at Molina Healthcare California, overseeing the care management of inpatient and outpatient members in San Bernardino and Riverside counties. He also served as the CMO and interim CEO of Family Health Care Centers of Greater Los Angeles, a Federally Qualified Health Center in southeast Los Angeles.

Dr. Nuñez received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Loyola Marymount University, a Doctor of Medicine degree from Harvard Medical School, and Master of Public Health from the UCLA School of Public Health. He serves on the boards of Latinx Physicians of California, the Legislative Affairs Committee of the California Academy of Family Physicians, the San Gabriel Community Foundation, and the Ramona Convent Secondary School. He also is a member of the California Medical Association, the California Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the Los Angeles County Medical Association, the Massachusetts Medical Society, and the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved, where he served two terms as president.

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Dr. Nuñez succeeds Dr. Nancy Wharfield, who will retire this year after 11 years of service to GCHP – nearly six of which were as CMO.

"We are grateful to Dr. Wharfield for her unparalleled commitment to our mission," Liguori said. "We cannot overstate the impact she has had on our organization and our community. She has made a major difference in the lives of countless members over the years, and we look forward to celebrating her as she transitions into retirement."

About Gold Coast Health Plan

Gold Coast Health Plan proudly serves more than 250,000 Medi-Cal beneficiaries in Ventura County through its network of primary care physicians, specialists, behavioral health providers, and hospitals. Since it was founded in 2011, Gold Coast Health Plan has been committed to providing access to high-quality care and improving the health of its members, which include 1 in 3 county residents, 1 in 6 seniors, and 1 in 2 children up to the age of 5. To learn more, visit: www.goldcoasthealthplan.org.