Irma Cota

Ms. Cota started her healthcare leadership career in 1977 upon her completion of a B.S. in Community Health from San Diego State University with a major concentration in community health. With a lifelong passion for learning and a desire to have a meaningful impact in the field of public health she obtained a M.P.H. degree from SDSU. In addition she obtained advanced training in executive management among them Executive Healthcare Leadership certifications from Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health, UCSD Extension Healthcare Executive program, UCLA Anderson School of Business in nonprofit healthcare and Executive Leadership in Non-Profits from Harvard University.

Ms. Cota retired after 42 years in healthcare administration, the area of concentration was in the field of Primary Care for the medically underserved. She lead multiple federally funded Health Centers in San Diego county as well as worked in leading a large private medical group and Birth Center. The first twenty years Ms. Cota was engaged in public health program development and management of health care programs to address much needed maternal and child health services, behavioral health, and workforce development at nonprofit organizations and the private sector. In addition to program development, she was engaged in medical practice acquisitions and establishing new primary care centers to address the healthcare needs of the medically underserved in San Diego County. 

From 1997 to March of 2018 Ms. Cota was the CEO of North County Health Services (NCHS) now doing business as TrueCare. With the CEO appointment, Ms. Cota marked her 3^rd tenure at North County Health Services as she welcomed the opportunity to lead this organization originally rooted in healthcare to migrant farm workers for wish Ms. Cota had a lifetime dedication as she was originally introduced to healthcare through the United Farm Workers Union as a 16-year-old farm worker herself. Under her leadership NCHS went from operating 5 clinics with a $12 million budget to a system of 12 comprehensive health centers and specialty care centers. She oversaw a $74 million budget serving over 66,000 patients with a staff of over 800. She guided the infrastructure planning, building and financial strategies to create new physical capacity leading to enable access to care by expanding primary care services, dental services, Behavioral health and Specialty care as well as nutrition (WIC) and social support program. During these years Ms. Cota was very active in advocacy and health policy serving in the California Primary Care Association Board and served as Chair of the Board and its Executive Committee.

Ms. Cota other Executive Administrative roles: Served as Chief Administrative Officer at San Ysidro Health Center 1987 – 91 in south San Diego County and Chief Administrative Officer at Sharp Healthcare nonprofit The Birth Center and its Physician Affiliate ​“Ob-Gyn Consultants” from 1991 – 97.While she led organizations, she was also very engaged in serving in multiple Boards of Directors and Advisory Boards to advance the field of public health and community health in addressing disparities and barriers to healthcare. 

At present, concurrent involvement in Boards of Directors and Advisory Boards 

1. The Conrad Prebys Foundation (January 2023)
2. California Wellness foundation – Board of Directors (September 2020)
3. Latino Coalition for a Health California – Board of Directors (September 2013)
4. San Diego State University School of Public Health – Advisory Board (January 2016)
5. Rady Children’s T Danny Sandford Behavioral Health Advisory Board (March 2019)
6. San Diego Foundation El Camino Fund Advisory Council (2025)
7. North County Lifeline Community Services – CEO Advisory Council (2025)

Past Board Leadership Experience 

1. Alliance Healthcare Foundation: Served as Chair, Executive, Programs and Audit Committees,
2. California Primary Care Association: Served as Board Chair,
3. National Cooperative Bank (NCB): Served as Board Chair and in the Executive Committee,
4. National Impact Bank, affiliate of NCB: Served as Chair and Executive Committee,
5. SDCCC now Southern California Healthcare Partners: Served as Chair, Executive Committee and Audit Committee
6. Board of The Elizabeth Hospice, served in the Governance and Audit Committees
7. City National Bank, Advisory Board for San Diego County region
8. California State University San Marcos University Council