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Governing Board

Kern Health Systems, the County Health Authority, is an independent public agency that governs Kern Family Health Care. The Board of Directors are appointed by the Kern County Board of Supervisors and includes major healthcare stakeholders, such as physicians, safety-net providers, hospitals, pharmacies and community representatives. Board meetings are held bi-monthly in: February, April, June, August, October and December, and are open to the public.

Governing Board Members

  • Kristen Beall Watson
    Kristen Beall Watson, EdD, Chairman
    Community Representative,
    3rd District
  • Scott Thygerson
    Scott Thygerson, Vice Chairman
    Kern Medical Representative
  • Vijaykumar Patel
    Vijaykumar B. Patel, MD, Secretary
    Rural PCP Representative

  • Ross Elliott, Treasurer
    Community Representative,
    1st District
  • Sarabjeet Singh, MD
    Sarabjeet Singh, MD
    Urban PCP Representative
  • Timothy McGlew
    Timothy McGlew
    Rural Hospital Representative
  • Olga Meave
    Olga Meave, MD
    Safety Net Provider Representative
  • Kimberly Hoffmann
    Kimberly Hoffmann, PharmD, BCPP
    Pharmacist Representative

  • Michael T. Bowers
    Community Representative,
    1st District

  • Alex Alva
    Community Representative,
    2nd District

  • Jay Tamsi
    Community Representative,
    3rd District

  • Ganesh Acharya
    Community Representative,
    4th District
  • Dr. Albert Ma
    Albert Ma, MD
    Community Representative,
    5th District

  • Michael Turnipseed
    Michael Turnipseed
    Community Representative,
    5th District

Governing Board Agendas

Next Meeting:

Regular Board of Directors Meeting
Thursday, October 17, 2024
Closed Session: 8:00 a.m.
Open Session: 8:45 a.m.

Board of Directors Meeting Packet for October 17

Special Board of Directors Meeting
Thursday, October 17, 2024
Closed Session: 11:00 a.m.

KHS Special Board Agenda for October 17

Kern Health Systems
2900 Buck Owens Boulevard
Bakersfield, CA 93308

Board meeting agenda will be posted according to The Brown Act requirements*.

Past Agendas

Please note: Kern Health Systems Board of Directors meetings and the Kern Health Systems Finance Committee meetings will occur every other month.