The Desert Healthcare District Board of Directors will have a bit of a shakeup during the Nov. 3 general election.
Of the five seats that are up for election, three board members have announced they will not seek reelection. Those include Carole Rogers, the longest-serving member of the current board, board president Kimberly Barraza and Greg Rodriguez, who resigned from his seat earlier this year
to pursue the district's CEO position.Incumbents Evett PerezGil and Anyse Smith have filed to run again. Board directors voluntarily serve a four-year term.
The Desert Healthcare District is a local government agency with a goal of helping Coachella Valley residents receive health care resources, housing, food and other services. Its board consists of seven
directors, one for each of the district's seven geographic zones encompassing the entire Coachella Valley.
Here is a look at the seats and candidates up for election this November.
Not running for reelection: Greg Rodriguez, Zone 1
Rodriguez announced in June that he would be stepping away from his Zone 1 seat in order to pursue the district's CEO position. His seat has remained unfilled since then.
He was elected to the board in November 2024. Additionally, he is the deputy director for government affairs and community engagement for Riverside County’s Housing and Workforce Solutions Department, a position he has held since 2022. If selected for the CEO role, Rodriguez said he would step down from his county position.
"It has truly been a pleasure to serve alongside my fellow Board members and to have the incredible support of the Desert Healthcare District & Foundation staff," Rodriguez said in an email addressed to board members and staff. "I can’t thank you all enough for the camaraderie and the vision we have all shared on the amazing things that are going to happen as the District moves forward."
Candidates who have submitted their intention to run for the Zone 1 seat include health care nonprofit executive David "Jax" Kelly, Ted Stoner and DAP Health Chief Transformation Officer C.J. Tobe.
Not running for reelection: Carole Rogers, Zone 2
Carole Rogers is the Zone 2 director. She has served on the board for 12 years. She is a licensed registered nurse with more than 45 years of health care experience. She previously served as a director and board chairwoman with the Eden Township Healthcare District in Castro Valley.
"It’s time to bring new ideas and energy to the future of our Healthcare District and its important role in our community’s well-being," Rogers said in a statement. "I will continue to support our nonprofit friends in their mission and plan to volunteer for District & Foundation programs in the future."
Candidates who have submitted their intention to run for the Zone 2 seat include nurse/college educator Sarah Fry, nurse practitioner Reshaé M. Crawford and Marilyn Hannan.
Running for reelection: Evett PerezGil, Zone 4
Evett PerezGil was first elected to serve on the board in November 2018. In 2022, she was unchallenged and retained her seat, and was named board president by her colleagues, and then was re-elected to serve as president in 2024. PerezGil has worked as a community health worker and has been a long-term volunteer at the Boys and Girls Club of Cathedral City,
She is running unopposed for Zone 4.
Running for reelection: Anyse Smith, Zone 5
Anyse Smith was unanimously appointed to serve as the Zone 5 representative on Jan. 8, 2026, occupying the seat vacated by Arthur Shorr, who resigned on Nov. 30. She is a Palm Desert resident and attorney at Starting Over Inc., a nonprofit housing and legal aid organization working with unhoused people.
Other candidates who have submitted their intention to run for the Zone 5 seat include teacher Desiree Wallis.
Not running for reelection: Kimberly Barraza, Zone 6
Elected in 2022, Kimberly Barraza will conclude her term in December, including service as board president.
"It has been a tremendous honor to serve my community on the Desert Healthcare District & Foundation Board and to help advance its mission across the entire Coachella Valley," Barraza said in a statement. "I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished over the past four years and grateful to have played a role in strengthening the District and positioning it for a strong future."
One candidate, Gilbert R. Rodriguez, has submitted their intention to run for the Zone 6 seat.
Desert Healthcare District zones
Each board director is a citizen of one of the district and foundation's seven geographical areas or zones, each of which consists of about 60,000 residents. The zones are:
- Zone 1 encompasses the communities of Palm Springs, parts of Cathedral City and Rancho Mirage
- Zone 2 includes the communities of Desert Hot Springs, Garnet, Desert Edge and Sky Valley
- Zone 3 (seat held by Dr. Daniel Logsdon) encompasses La Quinta, Indian Wells and parts of Indio south of Highway 111
- Zone 4 primarily encompasses Cathedral City
- Zone 5 covers parts of Palm Desert, Bermuda Dunes and Indio
- Zone 6 encompasses the communities of Coachella and Indio
- Zone 7 (seat held by Leticia De Lara) includes parts of Coachella as well as Thermal, Mecca and other unincorporated communities in eastern Coachella Valley
Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at ema.sasic@desertsun.com, on X @ema_sasic or on Instagram @emasasic.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Changes are coming for the Desert Healthcare District board. See why
