Angélica Pérez, M.A., B.S.
Project Manager, Digital Health Equity (DHE)
Angélica María Pérez joined the University of California at Davis’ Center for Reducing Health Disparities in January 2024. She currently serves as the Project Manager for the Digital Health Equity (DHE) Project.
Angélica holds a Master of Arts in Spanish Language and Literature, complemented by a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from CSU, Sacramento. Her academic journey also led her to the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain, where she initiated her Master of Arts studies through a captivating study abroad experience.
With an extensive professional tenure spanning over 27 years in State Government, Angélica has garnered a wealth of experience in various facets of health policy development. Her expertise encompasses research, quality improvement, reporting initiatives, patient engagement, consumer education and assistance, data extraction and analysis, as well as community engagement, outreach, and education.
Before joining the Center, Angélica served as an Associate Governmental Program Analyst in the Medi-Cal Eligibility Division at the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS). In this role, she oversaw the administration, production, and development of Spanish-language collateral materials, including billboards, brochures, posters, television, and radio ads for the Medi-Cal for Children and Healthy Families Education and Outreach Campaign. This initiative aimed to effectively convey key messages to underserved populations, particularly in rural and immigrant communities with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Her collaboration extended to working closely with Community-Based Organizations, ensuring outreach to eligible communities and families to raise awareness of available services and benefits. Additionally, Angélica contributed as a Health Program Specialist II in the DHCS Primary and Rural Health Division. Here, she partnered with the Health Resources and Services Administration, focusing on the development and management of the Federal Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility grant. Her efforts aimed to support small-rural hospitals in meeting quality improvement benchmarks, keeping their doors open, and providing patient-centered healthcare services of the highest quality.
Angélica was born and raised in Jalisco, Mexico. At the age of twelve, filled with hope and the pursuit of the American dream, her family made the courageous decision to leave Jalostotitlán behind. They embarked on a journey to California, where they transitioned into the life of migrant field workers in the Sacramento Valley.
Angélica is passionately committed to public service and has extensive experience collaborating with and advocating for the Latinx, Mexican, and Mexican-American communities. Adding to her valuable skill set, she is bilingual, proficient in both English and Spanish, thereby bringing a nuanced understanding of cultural diversity to the Center.
In expressing her views on health equity, Angélica emphasizes, "Despite the myriad challenges confronting underserved, rural, and immigrant communities—ranging from economic factors and cultural differences to educational gaps and geographic constraints—I firmly believe that these communities deserve accessible, high-quality healthcare. I take pride in being associated with an institution dedicated to fostering diversity, promoting equity and social justice in health and healthcare. We are committed to implementing evidence-based programs that ensure everyone has the opportunity to lead a healthy life.”
Outside of work, Angélica finds joy in reading, embarking on nature walks, and savoring moments with her family and three canine companions fondly referred to as "the girls." Also, a passionate enthusiast of Salsa music, dancing holds a special place among her great loves.
