James Mittelberger, MD, MPH

James Mittelberger, MD, MPH, is a nationally recognized physician leader who has dedicated his 30+ year career to the care of vulnerable patients across the continuum of care from hospital to home. His roles have included Medical Director of the Over 60's Clinic; 20 years as Chief of the Division of Geriatrics at Highland Hospital in Oakland; and a decade building innovative geriatric, palliative care, and hospice programs for UnitedHealth Group and Optum as West Region CMO for Medicare and Medicaid, then as founding Director and Chief Medical Officer for the Optum Center for Palliative and Supportive Care. Prior to joining CEI's leadership team in 2019 he was the Chief Medical Officer for UCSF's affiliate hospice, Hospice by the Bay. His leadership roles have also included President of the multi-specialty OakCare Medical Group, and Interim CEO of the Alameda Health Care System.

Dr. Mittelberger has served in numerous community leadership roles to improve health care. He is a member of the Board of the California Coalition for Compassionate Care, Chair of the California State POLST task force. He has been a leader in the development of POLST since its inception in California. He served as Medical Staff President at Highland Hospital, Chair and Vice-chair of the Alameda Alliance for Health, Hospital surveyor for the Institute for Medical Quality in California, Chair of the Alameda County Health Care Foundation, Physician leader for Measure A in Alameda County, Chair of the Alameda Contra Costa Medical Association Geriatrics Committee, President of the California Association of Long Term Care Medicine and a member of the National Academy of Medicine Roundtable on Quality of Care for Patients with Serious Illness.

Dr. Mittelberger is a Clinical Professor of Medicine at UCSF School of Medicine and is board certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatrics, and Hospice and Palliative Medicine. He completed a B.A. at Brown University, M.D. at University of California San Diego, M.P.H. and Internal Medicine Residency at the University of Washington, additional fellowship training at UCSF and the Bureau of Health Professions, and a California Health Care Foundation Leadership fellowship.