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January 11, 2012 —
Merced, Calif. (January 11, 2012) – The state’s largest health foundation today announced the appointment of Brian Lee Mimura, executive director of First 5 Merced County, as program manager for the Southwest Merced/East Merced County Building Healthy Communities collaborative, effective January 24, 2012. Launched in 2010, Building Healthy Communities is a 10 year, $1 billion plan of The California Endowment. In connection with staff-led statewide policy initiatives, 14 communities are taking action to make where they live healthier. They’re doing this by improving employment opportunities, education, housing, neighborhood safety, unhealthy environmental conditions, access to healthy foods and more. The goal: to create places where children are healthy, safe and ready to learn.
As executive director of First 5 Merced County, Mimura was responsible for determining strategic direction, budget and long range financial planning, staff management, and evaluation, among numerous other activities. In addition, Mimura facilitated the shifting of the organization to a more focused outcomes-based funding approach aimed at a refined, community-driven set of local priorities.
“We are thrilled to have Brian join our staff,” said Sarah Reyes, The Endowment’s regional program manager for the Central Valley. “His familiarity and expertise in the issues impacting the health of Merced’s families and his approach to making change made him the ideal choice to help lead the Building Healthy Communities collaborative in Southwest Merced/East Merced County.”
Prior to his service in Merced County, Mimura served as the Associate Director of Planning and Evaluation for First 5 Fresno County. While there, he facilitated program planning and managed the implementation of the organization’s evaluation and data collection activities, among numerous other activities.
Mimura has held a number of health-focused positions, including Director of Development and Special Projects for the California Health Collaborative in Fresno (1996-2001); Independent Project Consultant for the Malaysian National AIDS Council Program Evaluation Project in Kuala Lumpur, Malayasia (1994-1996); and Project Consultant for Fresno County Health Services Agency’s Southeast Asian Project through the Maternal Child & Adolescent Health Department.
Mimura earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from University of California, Irvine, and his Master of Public Health degree from the University of North Carolina.
The California Endowment, a private, statewide health foundation, was established in 1996 to expand access to affordable, quality health care for underserved individuals and communities, and to promote fundamental improvements in the health status of all Californians. The Endowment challenges the conventional wisdom that medical settings and individual choices are solely responsible for people's health. The Endowment believes that health happens in neighborhoods, schools, and with prevention. For more information, visit The Endowment’s Web site at www.calendow.org.
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