Clayton Chau, M.D., Ph.D., is director of the Orange County Health Care Agency and the Orange County health officer. He was previously the chief clinical and strategy officer for MindOC, the nonprofit entity that supports Be Well OC, a coordinated system to improve Orange County’s mental health services. Dr. Chau has held leadership roles in behavioral health and care management at major public and private health organizations, including Providence Health System and L.A. Care Health Plan. He started his career working for 13 years with Orange County Behavioral Health Services. Dr. Chau obtained his medical degree from the University of Minnesota and his doctorate in clinical psychology from Chelsea University. He completed his psychiatry residency at UCLA San Fernando Valley, followed by a fellowship with the National Institute of Mental Health focusing on substance abuse and HIV. He was recognized in 2012 with leadership awards from the National Council for Behavioral Health and the American Psychiatric Association. Additionally, in July 2021, the Orange County Medical Association named Dr. Chau as Physician of the Year. He was appointed a CalOptima director in May 2020.