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News Release

Dr. Steven Nakana Named Oregon Health Authority’s Equity & Inclusion Division Director - 11/06/25

November 6, 2025

Media contact: Max Sprague, 971-288-8429, Max.Sprague@oha.oregon.gov

Dr. Steven Nakana named Oregon Health Authority’s Equity & Inclusion Division Director

PORTLAND, Ore– Dr. Steven Nakana has been appointed the new permanent director of Oregon Health Authority’s (OHA) Equity & Inclusion Division, effective Nov. 24, 2025.

Photograph of Steve Nakana

Dr. Nakana, who has more than 15 years of leadership experience, most recently served as Director of Community Health Partnerships – Metro at CareOregon, where he directed Metro-wide health equity strategy -- collaborating with local leaders and community-based organizations to turn state health priorities into locally driven action. He also maintained performance dashboards and applied frameworks like Results-Based Accountability to monitor outcomes and address disparities.

Earlier in his career, he held leadership positions at Portland Community College, Portland General Electric, Port of Portland and Mercy Corps, where he informed policy and system transformation, guided organizational equity strategies, implemented culturally responsive community investments to advance health access, designed inclusive community engagement structures and supported international peacebuilding and public health initiatives. 

“Dr. Nakana’s experience reflects a consistent and unwavering commitment to equity, transparency and meaningful collaboration – values that align closely with our OHA mission,” said Sejal Hathi, MD, M.B.A. “We welcome him to our team as we continue our work toward eliminating health inequities in Oregon by 2030.”

Dr. Nakana was chosen through a national search supported by Motus Recruiting. He will replace Alfonso Ramirez, who has served as the division’s interim director and will return to his previous role as Behavioral Health Equity and Community Partnership Director in OHA’s Behavioral Health Division.

“Alfonso Ramirez has led our Equity & Inclusion Division at a critical time, championing division-wide success as we navigate federal changes and other challenges,” Dr. Hathi said. “I’m grateful for the compassion and commitment he has brought to the interim director role and for the important role he will continue to play in advancing our strategic goal.”

The appointment comes at a pivotal time. As communities in Oregon and across the region face growing challenges, the arrival of OHA’s new permanent Equity & Inclusion Director underscores the importance of equity work as the agency meets this moment with clarity, care and accountability. OHA remains committed to creating systems where everyone can thrive, guided by shared values and responsibility.

“I’m delighted to join OHA, an agency long committed to putting equity at the forefront of health policy and decisions,” Dr. Nakana said. “I look forward to collaborating with the OHA team and its many partners to improve the health and lives of all people across the state.”

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Dr. Steven Nakana Named Oregon Health Authority’s Equity & Inclusion Division Director - 11/06/25

November 6, 2025

Media contact: Max Sprague, 971-288-8429, Max.Sprague@oha.oregon.gov

Dr. Steven Nakana named Oregon Health Authority’s Equity & Inclusion Division Director

PORTLAND, Ore– Dr. Steven Nakana has been appointed the new permanent director of Oregon Health Authority’s (OHA) Equity & Inclusion Division, effective Nov. 24, 2025.

Photograph of Steve Nakana

Dr. Nakana, who has more than 15 years of leadership experience, most recently served as Director of Community Health Partnerships – Metro at CareOregon, where he directed Metro-wide health equity strategy -- collaborating with local leaders and community-based organizations to turn state health priorities into locally driven action. He also maintained performance dashboards and applied frameworks like Results-Based Accountability to monitor outcomes and address disparities.

Earlier in his career, he held leadership positions at Portland Community College, Portland General Electric, Port of Portland and Mercy Corps, where he informed policy and system transformation, guided organizational equity strategies, implemented culturally responsive community investments to advance health access, designed inclusive community engagement structures and supported international peacebuilding and public health initiatives. 

“Dr. Nakana’s experience reflects a consistent and unwavering commitment to equity, transparency and meaningful collaboration – values that align closely with our OHA mission,” said Sejal Hathi, MD, M.B.A. “We welcome him to our team as we continue our work toward eliminating health inequities in Oregon by 2030.”

Dr. Nakana was chosen through a national search supported by Motus Recruiting. He will replace Alfonso Ramirez, who has served as the division’s interim director and will return to his previous role as Behavioral Health Equity and Community Partnership Director in OHA’s Behavioral Health Division.

“Alfonso Ramirez has led our Equity & Inclusion Division at a critical time, championing division-wide success as we navigate federal changes and other challenges,” Dr. Hathi said. “I’m grateful for the compassion and commitment he has brought to the interim director role and for the important role he will continue to play in advancing our strategic goal.”

The appointment comes at a pivotal time. As communities in Oregon and across the region face growing challenges, the arrival of OHA’s new permanent Equity & Inclusion Director underscores the importance of equity work as the agency meets this moment with clarity, care and accountability. OHA remains committed to creating systems where everyone can thrive, guided by shared values and responsibility.

“I’m delighted to join OHA, an agency long committed to putting equity at the forefront of health policy and decisions,” Dr. Nakana said. “I look forward to collaborating with the OHA team and its many partners to improve the health and lives of all people across the state.”

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