Pooja Bhalla, Executive Director of Healthcare Services

Illumination Foundation, Orange

Dr. Pooja Bhalla joined Illumination Foundation in 2017 as chief operating officer, responsible for the strategic planning and daily operations of all programming, including recuperative care, behavioral health, and housing. Since March 2020, she has directed their effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 within the population of those experiencing homelessness in Orange County, a vast undertaking at the behest of the Orange County Health Care Agency that has included providing a safe environment for more than 2,500 individuals needing isolation and medical care. Bhalla has also implemented an innovative partnership with Illumination Foundation Medical Group, a private medical group which provides medical, dental, and mental health primary care services for clients. In February 2021, Bhalla was promoted to the newly-created role of executive director of healthcare services, where she focuses on the complex issue of healthy equity in order to improve quality outcomes and reduce health disparities.