Salomeh Wagaw
40 Under 40 Class of 2023
Riverside, California
Program Director of Health Equity
Riverside University Health System-Public Health
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I have true passion for health equity, driving policy development, addressing social determinants of health, and elevating the practice of data to action.
Three words to describe me:
passionate, genuine, charismatic
The best part of my job:
being able to collaborate across many sectors and break down traditional silos, while discovering innovative approaches to foster change, which ultimately serves as a catalyst to collective impact
Something that would surprise others about me:
I come off as very intimidating and don't exactly give off YOLO vibes, but in fact I am very spontaneous, adventurous, and funny.
Salomeh Wagaw is the first Program Director of Health Equity for Riverside University Health System-Public Health, managing over $27 million dedicated to addressing health disparities among underserved and under-resourced communities. She served as an epidemiologist for eight years, focusing on communicable disease surveillance, reducing rates of chronic disease, incorporating data to action, and driving policy development. Ms. Wagaw served as Chief Equity Officer for the COVID-19 and Monkey Pox Incident Management Team, working to disseminate vaccines and promote testing to disproportionately impacted communities. She serves as the co-chair of the Southern California Regional Health Equity Workgroup, collaborating on regional approaches to eliminate inequities and improve overall health outcomes.
Ms. Wagaw earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of California, Riverside, and a Master of Public Health in Research Epidemiology from Loma Linda University.
