County names Elizabeth Hernandez deputy chief administrative officer for HHSA

The County of San Diego named Elizabeth Hernandez, Ph.D., as deputy chief administrative officer for the Health and Human Services Agency, the county said; she will begin the role Oct. 2.

The search, conducted with a national firm, drew more than 200 applications.

Since October 2025 Dr. Hernandez has served as interim deputy chief administrative officer for HHSA; she joined the County in 2016 as assistant director of Public Health Services and was promoted to director in 2021.

Her past and current roles in the public health community include the Executive Committee for the County Health Executives Association of California, the board of the Public Health Institute, co-chair of the Public Health Alliance of Southern California, County representative on the California Department of Public Health Office of Binational Border Health Advisory Group, and an advisory member of the San Diego State University School of Public Health Advisory Board.

Before joining the County she worked as vice president with the Neighborhood House Association.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Azusa Pacific University and a master’s and doctorate in dual clinical/industrial-organizational psychology from Alliant International University in San Diego.

The Health and Human Services Agency provides a broad range of health and social services; about one in every three county residents is a direct recipient of HHSA services each year.

HHSA consists of the Aging & Independence Services, Child & Family Well-Being, Housing & Community Development, Public Health Services and Self-Sufficiency Services departments.

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