Theresa “Missy” Nitescu, chief operations officer of Northeast Valley Health Corporation, has been appointed to the county Board of Supervisors’ Community Prevention and Population Health Task Force at the recommendation of Los Angeles County Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger.

As a member of the task force, Nitescu will represent the county’s fifth district, which includes the Santa Clarita Valley.

SNitescu will provide key insight and recommendations to government and public health agencies about public health priorities, initiatives, and practices that help build health equity and healthier communities.

“She has shown extraordinary leadership as a health professional and advocate for strong, healthy communities, and will bring a wealth of experience, knowledge and vision to the Task Force working for positive health outcomes in the Santa Clarita Valley and throughout Los Angeles County,” Barger told SCVNews in a statement Friday.

“I am proud to represent the fifth district on the L.A. County Board of Supervisors’ Community Prevention and Population Health Task Force,” Nitescu said in a statement Friday.

“I live and work in the Santa Clarita Valley with one of the largest health centers in the country,” she said. “With more than 30 years of experience in the healthcare field, I will speak up about the health issues that are affecting our community. My goal is to inform the Board of Supervisors and other public health agencies on health policy that will build stronger, healthier neighborhoods for families and individuals who call the fifth district their home.”

In a statement, Nitescu further outlined her goal.

“It is my goal to ensure that the county’s public health efforts do not create disparities in my community,” she said.

“We can begin to create better health for all through an approach that takes into consideration a population’s social determinants of health,” she said, referring to the social, economic and environmental factors that influence an individual’s overall well-being.

In addition to her work with the Board of Supervisors, Nitescu will provide her expertise and leadership with community health planning in LA County through projects that include the community health assessment, community health improvement plan, and other strategic efforts that promote strong population health.

Nitescu will also report back to the communities, organizations and coalitions in the fifth district to ensure that constituents stay informed of the task force’s work.

The appointment took effect on Tuesday, May 8, when the Board of Supervisors unanimously confirmed the candidates for the Community Prevention and Population Health Task Force.

With more than 30 years of experience in community and public health, Nitescu has worked for Northeast Valley Health Corporation overseeing all aspects of ambulatory care operations including the design and construction of all new NEVHC health centers.

As one of the largest health centers in the country, NEVHC is expanding in the Santa Clarita Valley with its newest health center, the Newhall Health Center opening its doors in March 2018.

A grand opening celebration for the new center is set for Tuesday, August 14 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Local leaders and hospital partners including Henry Mayo Newhall and Kaiser Permanente are expected to participate.

Previously, Nitescu worked for the NEVHC Women, Infants, and Children Program as the nutrition education director served as a clinical dietitian for Mission Community Hospital, and a program manager for CA Project LEAN (Los Angeles Region) for California State University Northridge.

Nitescu holds a bachelor’s degree from State University New York, Plattsburgh and a master’s degree from California State University, Northridge. She completed her training as a registered dietitian at the University of Medicine and Dentistry in Newark, New Jersey. She is also certified as a lactation educator and a health safety professional.

About the Northeast Valley Health Corporation
With 15 licensed health centers, Northeast Valley Health Corporation (NEVHC) is one of the nation’s largest community health centers. Incorporated in 1971, NEVHC is a non-profit Joint Commission accredited Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). NEVHC’s mission is to provide quality, safe and comprehensive primary health care to medically underserved residents of Los Angeles County, particularly in the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys, in a manner that is sensitive to the economic, cultural and linguistic needs of the community.

For more information, visit nevhc.org.