Public Health Advisor & Health Communication Specialist
Office of Minority Health at the US Department of Health and Human Services

Elizabeth Perez is a Public Health Advisor and Communications Specialist at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. For three years, at the Office of Minority Health, Perez led various communication and education efforts to diverse populations, including outreach and enrollment of the Affordable Care Act, implementation of the National Standards for Cultural and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health and Health Care (CLAS), and various other observances and campaigns. Prior to working at SAMSHA and OMH, Perez worked for the National Coalition on Health Care, a think tank and advocacy group for the Affordable Care Act.

Perez originally comes to the health policy and communication arena as a clinician, as she has worked within the health care sector for the last 8 years. As a clinician, she has coordinated various quality improvement and quality assurance measures aimed at improving quality of patient care, improved patient flow, patient safety, and cost effectiveness. She played a role in developing various policy changes within the health care institution and worked on Regional State policy, working with the Hospital Association of Southern California, in studying and making recommendations addressing the influx of Involuntary Holds (5150s) and Emergency Rooms.

Perez is a California native and received her Bachelors in Radiation Sciences, emphasizing in health administration and research, and a Masters in Public Health-Health Policy and Leadership from Loma Linda University. Elizabeth is as a previous Health-Hispanic-Serving Health Professional (HSHPS) Fellow that helped direct and coordinate various aspects within the Office of Minority Health’s Office of the Director.