Chris Turner named Interim CEO
SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Santa Clara Family Health Plan (SCFHP) Chief Executive Officer Christine Tomcala announced her plans to retire in December of this year, concluding a healthcare career spanning more than 45 years. Tomcala has led the local community-based health plan for the past 11 years.
With unwavering commitment to the SCFHP mission to improve the well-being of its members, Tomcala has guided SCFHP through significant growth and transformation, enhancing its programs, expanding access to care and resources, and advancing health equity.
Under her leadership, SCFHP successfully developed its Medi-Cal and Medicare D-SNP products by creating an operational structure that enables quality and compliance. In 2024, SCFHP achieved National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) Health Equity Accreditation and Full Health Plan Accreditation for its Medi-Cal and Medicare programs, reflecting the organization’s continued focus on quality and equitable health outcomes.
Building on SCFHP’s legacy of serving members since 1997, Tomcala shepherded SCFHP to strengthen its mission statement, adopt its first vision statement aspiring toward health equity, and develop a strategic planning foundation that will continue to guide SCFHP.
“I am especially proud of the work our team has done to elevate SCFHP as a visible leader and community ally by establishing both the Blanca Alvarado Community Resource Center (CRC) and the South County CRC,” Tomcala said. “These efforts, combined with our strategic planning, development of a solid operational framework, and strong financial performance, have positioned us to deepen our impact even further.”
“When I arrived, many people in the community didn’t know who we were,” Tomcala continued. “Now, a vast majority of our community understands our role as the local Medi-Cal plan thanks to clearly defining our purpose, building relationships, and demonstrating a consistent presence.”
As an essential partner in the safety net system, SCFHP is improving the health of communities impacted by disparities. Through the Board-Designated Fund, the SCFHP Governing Board has committed more than $40 million since 2019 to innovative community initiatives addressing health disparities. These investments have helped advance collaborative efforts such as the Health Equity Agenda, which has brought together trusted organizations to identify disparities and jointly develop strategies to improve health equity across Santa Clara County.
Together, these accomplishments reflect SCFHP’s evolution under Tomcala’s leadership into an organization increasingly focused on quality, innovation, community partnership, and equitable access to care.
Before joining SCFHP, Tomcala served as the CEO at Soundpath Health, where she led a provider-owned Medicare Advantage health plan in the state of Washington.
Prior to Soundpath, Tomcala was the Vice President of Government Programs and Member Services at HealthPlus of Michigan. She successfully led its Medicaid and Medicare product lines for 10 years. Under her leadership, the plan consistently earned a ranking as a top 25 Medicare plan by US News & World Report/NCQA.
Tomcala holds an MBA and a BS in healthcare administration/business administration from the University of Michigan. She earned certification as a managed care executive through Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.
“Santa Clara Family Health Plan’s commitment to serving our members, and advancing health equity, has never been stronger,” Tomcala said. “I have confidence in our leadership team and dedicated employees to continue building on this foundation and ensuring every member receives the care, support, and respect they deserve.”
In July, the SCFHP Governing Board voted unanimously to appoint Chris Turner as interim CEO effective upon Tomcala’s retirement in December 2026. Turner, who joined SCFHP in 2015, currently serves as the plan’s Chief Operating Officer. Turner brings extensive operational expertise and deep knowledge of SCFHP’s strategic priorities to the role of interim CEO.
About Santa Clara Family Health Plan
Santa Clara Family Health Plan (SCFHP) is a local, community-based health plan dedicated to creating opportunities for better health and wellness for all. In partnership with providers and community organizations since 1997, we work to ensure everyone in Santa Clara County has access to equitable, high-quality health care. With a strong commitment to integrity, outstanding service, and support for our community, we serve more than 275,000 people through our Medi-Cal and Medicare health care plans. For more information, visit www.scfhp.com.
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SOURCE Santa Clara Family Health Plan
