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A Journey of Personal Connection and System-Wide Change

With Dr. Veronica Kelley

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Stories to Solutions

From her early days as a social worker to her current role as Director of OC Health Care Agency, Dr. Veronica Kelley's path in mental health care has been shaped by both personal experience and professional dedication. Coming from a family that experienced trauma and addiction, Dr. Kelley's approach to mental health care is deeply rooted in lived experience.
"I was really chosen for the field by my family and community," she reflects, describing how she naturally gravitated toward helping others process their pain. This personal connection to mental health challenges has informed her innovative approach to system-wide improvements in one of the nation's largest counties.
Dr. Kelley brings a fresh perspective to traditional healthcare challenges, advocating for a more integrated, collaborative approach that brings together clinicians, law enforcement, peers with lived experience, and academic partners. Her work spans from transforming crisis response systems to reimagining how mental health services are funded and delivered.
Dr. Kelley's message is clear: the future of mental health care depends on our ability to work together, share resources, and learn from each other's experiences. Through her leadership, Orange County is demonstrating how combining personal insight with systematic change can create more effective, compassionate mental health care systems.
For those interested in getting involved or learning more about mental health resources in Orange County, visit OCHealthInfo.com or OCNavigator.org for free access to information about mental health services and support.
From her early days as a social worker to her current role as Director of OC Health Care Agency, Dr. Veronica Kelley's path in mental health care has been shaped by both personal experience and professional dedication. Coming from a family that experienced trauma and addiction, Dr. Kelley's approach to mental health care is deeply rooted in lived experience.
"I was really chosen for the field by my family and community," she reflects, describing how she naturally gravitated toward helping others process their pain. This personal connection to mental health challenges has informed her innovative approach to system-wide improvements in one of the nation's largest counties.
Dr. Kelley brings a fresh perspective to traditional healthcare challenges, advocating for a more integrated, collaborative approach that brings together clinicians, law enforcement, peers with lived experience, and academic partners. Her work spans from transforming crisis response systems to reimagining how mental health services are funded and delivered.
Dr. Kelley's message is clear: the future of mental health care depends on our ability to work together, share resources, and learn from each other's experiences. Through her leadership, Orange County is demonstrating how combining personal insight with systematic change can create more effective, compassionate mental health care systems.
For those interested in getting involved or learning more about mental health resources in Orange County, visit OCHealthInfo.com or OCNavigator.org for free access to information about mental health services and support.
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Meet Our Guest
Dr. Veronica Kelley
Dr. Veronica Kelley is the Director of the Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA), a position she has held since March 2024. With over 33 years of experience in behavioral health, she has been instrumental in leading initiatives that address mental health crises, opioid misuse, and the implementation of innovative healthcare reforms. Her career is marked by significant contributions to public health, including her previous role as the Chief of Behavioral Health Services at HCA and her leadership in San Bernardino County.