WellSpace Health announced today that Christie Gonzales has been promoted to Chief Operations Officer (COO) and Dr. Janine Bera has been promoted to Chief Health Officer, launching the organization’s new Confluence Model for healthcare delivery.
The Confluence Model enhances WellSpace’s dyad leadership structure, which pairs clinical and operational leaders, by fully integrating all four quadrants of health – medical, dental, behavioral health, and supportive services – under clinically and operationally aligned care teams.
“Sacramento understands the power of confluence, having been founded at the confluence of the American and Sacramento rivers. Similarly, WellSpace’s Confluence Model seamlessly channels the flow of integrated care serving the whole person, regardless of whether one is seeking care for physical health, behavioral health, or oral health,” said WellSpace Health CEO Dr. Jonathan Porteus. “Both Christie and Dr. Bera have long and distinguished histories at WellSpace Health and I’m grateful for their leadership as we enter a new phase of care for the people we serve.”
Ms. Gonzales joined WellSpace in 2003 as a front-line staff member in the organization’s Birth and Beyond Family Resource Center, promoting to Program Coordinator and later a Regional Manager for Health Centers, where she was an operational leader for primary care, pediatrics, dental care, and integrated behavioral health, among other services. After receiving her master’s in public administration, Ms. Gonzales transitioned back to Behavioral Health as its Regional Manager, then Director of Behavioral Health Operations, and then to Deputy Chief of Behavioral Health Operations. In 2021, Ms. Gonzales joined the Executive Team as Chief Programs Officer.
Dr. Bera has been the Chief Medical Officer and clinical leader for all medical and dental services since joining WellSpace Health in 2017. Throughout her tenure she has provided exceptional clinical leadership through the organization’s growth and maturation, supporting the launch of new healthcare services and models, including WellSpace Nexus, Specialty Connect, as well as new clinical practicums, fellowships, and residency programs.
In their new roles, the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Health Officer will be responsible for fully integrating all streams of care and creating dyad partnerships throughout all care teams.
Ms. Gonzales and Dr. Bera have both been named “Women Who Mean Business” by the Sacramento Business Journal, among other recognitions, and hold healthcare leadership positions in the community.