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Advancing Community wellness in the Coachella Valley

Healthcare District Board to interview Director candidates on Jan. 8 at special meeting

Western view of Jerry Stergios Building with clear azul sky in the background. Staff Photo
January 6, 2026 - District Staff

The Desert Healthcare District & Foundation Board expects to take a significant step Thursday toward filling the seat recently vacated by Arthur Shorr.

The Directors will interview six candidates who have applied to be the new Board representative from zone five, which includes parts of several mid-Coachella Valley communities. (Please refer to our interactive Hummingbird Map to see zone five's boundaries.)


The candidates who will be interviewed are (in alphabetical order): Len Foster, Gary Honts, Kraig Johnson, Anyse Smith, Diane Vines and Ruth Zimmerman.


The Board has the option of appointing a new Director after the interviews or calling for a special election to fill the seat. The deadline for both actions is Jan. 29.


If an appointment is made, the new Director will serve about 10 months and will be eligible to run for election on Nov. 3, 2026, to complete the remaining two years of Director Shorr's term. When the full term is completed in November 2028, a regular election will be held to fill the Board seat for a standard four-year term.


This week's special meeting comes after Director Shorr announced his resignation in a letter dated Nov. 18, 2025, to CEO Chris Christensen. His resignation went into effect Nov. 30.


The public is welcome to attend the meeting:


 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026


Desert Healthcare District & Foundation

Jerry Stergios Building

Conference Rooms A & B (First Floor)

1140 N. Indian Canyon Drive

Palm Springs, CA 92262

(Parking is free where available on the street and in the hospital garage.)

Read an overview of Board Director duties and requirements.


About the Desert Healthcare District & Foundation


The Desert Healthcare District is a local government agency formed in 1948. Its mission is to achieve optimal health at all stages of life for all District residents. The District includes more than 400,000 residents and encompasses the entire Coachella Valley. The District and Desert Healthcare Foundation, together, are one of the largest funders in the valley. These funds are used to assist residents — especially the underserved — in accessing vitally needed resources, such as primary and behavioral healthcare. Learn more.