VENTURA, Calif. – Dr. John Fankhauser has been appointed Director of the Ventura County Health Care Agency. Fankhauser has served as the Interim Director for the Health Care Agency since January 2026. Prior to his role as Interim Director for the Health Care Agency, Fankhauser served as Chief Executive Officer for the Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC) and Santa Paula Hospital since 2019, a role he continued to hold while also serving as the Interim Director.
“Dr. Fankhauser has consistently shown a deep commitment to public service, paired with the depth of expertise needed to lead complex medical systems,” said Dr. Sevet Johnson, County Executive Officer. “His leadership in managing large-scale health care operations and his deep commitment to addressing community needs positions Dr. Fankhauser to make a meaningful and continued positive impact on our health care system. His record of strong health care leadership and experience make him exceptionally well-prepared to serve as the Director for the Health Care Agency.”
Over the course of his career, Fankhauser has served as a physician executive in a number of positions. His previous roles include Chief Medical Officer for VCMC and the Ventura County Health Care Agency, as well as the Chief Medical Officer for the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose, California. Prior to 2007, Fankhauser was a faculty member for the prestigious Ventura Family Medicine Residency Program, which is ranked in the top 1% of family medicine training programs nationally. Additionally, Fankhauser is an adjunct professor of family medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, reflecting his long-standing commitment to medical education.
In addition to his service to the Health Care Agency, Fankhauser has also practiced medicine overseas, serving as the Chief Executive Officer for the ELWA Hospital in Liberia where he played a key role in responding to the Ebola crisis from 2013 to 2018.
“It is a privilege to step into this role,” stated Fankhauser. “I have seen firsthand how deeply the Ventura County Health Care Agency shapes the health and well-being of our community, particularly for those facing barriers to care. I am inspired by the dedication of our health care professionals across our departments and am honored to have the opportunity to further support our workforce as we continue delivering high-quality care.”
Fankhauser graduated with honors from the University of Washington School of Medicine. He holds a Master of Healthcare Administration degree from the University of Minnesota and is a board member of the Hospital Association of Southern California. He is a recipient of the University of Washington School of Medicine Alumni Humanitarian Award which he received in 2020.
The Ventura County Health Care Agency is a public health system comprised of two public hospitals, 34 clinics, a behavioral health department, a public health department, and a health care plan for county employees and their dependents. The Health Care Agency strives to provide comprehensive and compassionate health care for the community, especially those facing barriers, through an exceptional workforce, education, and forward-thinking leadership.
Fankhauser will assume his role as Director of the Health Care Agency effective March 29, 2026, at a salary of $473,022.90.
