The Health Trust is proud to announce that Dr. Anthony “Tony” Iton, MD, JD, MPH, has been unanimously appointed by the Board of Trustees as our new Chief Executive Officer, effective July 7, 2025.
Dr. Iton is a nationally recognized public health leader and a lifelong champion for health equity. Over the course of more than 30 years, he has built a legacy of addressing the root causes of health disparities and advancing systems-level change that empowers communities.
At The California Endowment, Dr. Iton led the transformative $2 billion Building Healthy Communities initiative, the largest philanthropic effort of its kind in the nation. As Alameda County Public Health Director, he developed innovative, place-based strategies to address social determinants of health and co-authored research demonstrating how ZIP codes are stronger predictors of life expectancy than genetic codes.
“Building health equity requires more than resources—it demands partnerships, trust, and bold action to dismantle systemic barriers,” Dr. Iton said. “The Health Trust’s mission deeply resonates with my own, and I’m honored to join an organization so committed to ensuring that everyone—regardless of race, income, immigration status, language, or ZIP code—has a fair chance to live a healthy life.”
Rhonda McClinton-Brown, Chair of the Board of Trustees, added:
“Dr. Iton’s expertise, vision, and passion for equity make him the ideal leader for this moment in The Health Trust’s history. His leadership will guide us as we deepen our impact across Silicon Valley.”
Founded in 1996 through the conversion of a nonprofit hospital system, The Health Trust serves as a catalyst for change through grantmaking, direct services, and advocacy. Together, with Dr. Iton’s leadership, we will continue to build a healthier, more equitable Silicon Valley.