Melinda Paras
President and CEO

Melinda Paras is the past Director of Communications, Policy and Planning for the Alameda County Medical Center (ACMC) an independent hospital authority operating safety-net medical facilities in Alameda County. She oversaw the strategic planning and facilities planning efforts of ACMC including facilities planning and the oversight of the new Critical Care Building project of ACMC. She led the strategic planning activities of the ACMC Board of Trustees, policy and legislative activities, and all internal and external communications of the Medical Center.

Melinda Paras is previously the Executive Director of Health Access a California health policy and advocacy organization. She is also the former President of the ACMC Board of Trustees and a former San Francisco Health Commissioner.

Raymond Otake, J. D.
Chief Technology Officer

Mr. Otake has pioneered the use of videoconferencing for the purposes of healthcare interpretation over the past decade. He provided the oversight of the first clinical trials of this new application in Alameda County Medical Center and San Francisco General Hospital. He currently directs the testing and evaluation of new technologies. Mr. Otake has over 20 years of experience in the health care information technology field including work as a CIO and IT Director. He has particular experience in community health center and managed health care environments. Mr. Otake has served on the Board of the advocacy organization Health Access of California, and on the California State Office of HIPAA Implementation Advisory Committee.

Peter Praetz, M.B.A.
Chief Financial Officer

Peter Praetz is the past Chief Financial Officer of San Francisco General Hospital and the Alameda County Medical Center. Mr. Praetz oversaw the implementation of a multiple information systems projects which included a clinical information system for the San Francisco Department of Public Health Integrated Delivery System. This system established an automated lifetime medical record and a single patient identifier. He is also currently a financial consultant for the California Association of Public Hospitals advising on the Medicaid waiver between the State of California and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Systems.

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