Leading the Way Toward a Healthier Tomorrow DAP HEALTH’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS SHAPING THE FUTURE OF HEALTH CARE Words by Ellen Bluestein
DAP Health’s board of directors includes a powerhouse group of accomplished women committed to making health equity a strategic priority. With an unparalleled level of expertise, the talented board is shaping the future of the organization and setting the standard of care for the rest of the country. Vice Chair Lauri Kibby, a 35-year veteran of the construction and development industries, has led projects from inception to completion. With expertise in business development, Kibby works with startups and small companies to help them achieve their goals. She serves on several Coachella Valley non-profit boards and is co-founder and chief financial officer of Kings Garden, a local agricultural company. Board member Carolyn Caldwell has been president and chief executive officer of St. Mary Medical Center, Long Beach since June 2017. Prior to joining St. Mary Medical Center, Caldwell was Desert Regional Medical Center’s executive officer. With over 20 years’ experience in executive hospital leadership, Caldwell brings to the board an exceptional depth of understanding and a wealth of knowledge. We asked both women to share their thoughts on the importance of serving on the board of DAP Health, their goals for the organization, the challenges of being women in executive leadership positions, and the state of health care. Below is an excerpt of the discussion. Some answers have been edited for clarity. Why did you choose to sit on the DAP Health board? Carolyn: My decision to sit on the DAP Health board was an easy one. I’ve been in health care my entire career and unfortunately lost a very dear friend to AIDS. I loved the mission of DAP Health and the work it does to improve the lives of our patients while providing health care to them with dignity and respect. What does a healthier tomorrow look like to you? Carolyn: A healthier tomorrow would be a tomorrow where all individuals — regardless of race, sex, gender identity, religion, or sexual orientation — are able to receive health care in a non-judgmental environment. With so many overwhelming health care challenges today, how do you determine what will be DAP Health’s top priority? Carolyn: DAP Health’s top priority is our patients, however, as things change, DAP Health must be flexible and nimble to meet the needs of our patients and our community. A perfect example of this is COVID-19. When the pandemic hit, DAP Health quickly realized it had to change the way it delivered care — in a very uncertain time — to better serve our patients as well as our community. Lauri: I believe that DAP Health is driven by the clientele it serves. Its foundation is delivery of not only Lauri Kibby
