Zamora Becomes New CEO
Center for Elders’ Independence is thrilled to name Maria E. Zamora as our new CEO (Chief Executive Officer). After an extensive search, Zamora was selected to guide the non-profit senior health plan through its next phase of expansion and innovation in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. She will join CEI on March 8, 2021.
"We are honored to welcome Maria Zamora to CEI. Her experience in senior healthcare coupled with an exceptional commitment to the PACE model of care will be invaluable to CEI during these challenging times," said Flo Raskin, CEI Board Chair. "We look forward to her leadership as CEI continues to innovate in response to COVID-19, and to serve more vulnerable seniors when we open our new PACE Concord location this spring."
We Thank Dr. Mittelberger for his time and service as interim CEO.
Raskin added that CEI's Board of Directors and staff thanked Dr. James Mittelberger, Chief Medical Officer, for his excellent leadership as Interim CEO. He served in that position following the untimely passing of former CEO, Linda Trowbridge. “Dr. Mittelberger has done an outstanding job in his dual roles as Interim CEO and Chief Medical Officer in the midst of the pandemic," said Raskin.
Zamora Brings Decades of Senior Healthcare Experience
Zamora brings more than 24 years of experience in the healthcare systems and insurance industries, with executive management experience in for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. She has an extensive background in PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly), the national model of care used by CEI to serve its senior participants. PACE provides medical care and integrated support services, enabling older adults with multiple health challenges to live at home rather than in nursing homes, for as long as possible.
“PACE is a spectacular, comprehensive health model for vulnerable older adults. I'm overjoyed to be continuing my career with Center for Elders’ Independence and look forward to helping the organization grow and provide access to critical services for more seniors in the East Bay,” said Zamora.
Prior to joining CEI, Zamora served as Vice President of Senior Care Services/PACE) at AltaMed Health Services, Inc., Los Angeles, where she was responsible for operational oversight, including financial sustainability and compliance with regulatory agencies at ten PACE locations. Under her leadership, new PACE centers were developed and opened, and she helped secure regulatory approval to open a PACE program in Orange County.
Prior to joining AltaMed, Zamora was Regional Executive Director for Denver-based InnovAge and its PACE programs in California and New Mexico. She maintained positive financial performance and high participant satisfaction for PACE in both states and was responsible for administration and oversight of a start-up PACE program in Inland Empire in southern California.
Maria is Deeply Involved in the World of PACE & Senior Healthcare
Zamora has cultivated strong community relationships related to her expertise in health care and senior services. She is Chair and Executive Committee member of the Board of Directors for National PACE Association (NPA). She also serves as Treasurer and Executive Committee member of the Board of Directors for California PACE Association (CalPACE).
Zamora holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Webster University in St. Louis, MO, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Accounting from the University of Phoenix.
She is relocating to the San Francisco Bay Area from Long Beach, California.