Watts Healthcare CEO and leadership

The Board of Directors of Watts Healthcare Corporation in Los Angeles, California is pleased to announce that on April 20, 2021, Michael J. Johnson, Esq. has been named Chief Executive Officer of the organization effective May 24, 2021. Mr. Johnson is originally from Redding, California but has been a resident of Los Angeles County for more than 35 years. He holds a Bachelor of Science, Business Administration from Biola University, La Mirada, California, a Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, California and a Certificate in Corporate Governance from Tulane University Law School, New Orleans, Louisiana. Mr. Johnson comes to Watts Healthcare with more than 20 years of experience in managed care, health center operations and leadership in community-based health systems. UHC Solutions of Lake Oswego, Oregon acted as the Executive Search firm facilitating the placement.

Mr. Johnson most recently served as the Chief Operating Officer of JWCH Institute/Wesley Health Centers, the third-largest federally qualified health center in Los Angeles County. In accepting the position, Mr. Johnson stated to the Board, “I am honored to be joining Watts Healthcare and am looking forward to working closely with the Board and the greater Watts Healthcare team to ensure we continue to provide access to the very best in compassionate, high quality, culturally-sensitive preventive and primary health care services to the community.”

Mr. Johnson devoted his career to community-based health systems after witnessing first-hand the impact of laws, regulations and policy on underserved and under-represented communities. He has a strong belief that for the community to be served effectively, the community must be heard and understood and that providers and care teams must be supported to provide the best possible care. He is committed to improving the total health and wellness of the communities served by Watts Healthcare. Further, Mr. Johnson says his role as the new CEO is to support each team member to live out Watts Healthcare’s mission and continue to find new and innovative ways to provide care to the underserved to improve overall health outcomes. Please join the staff, the patients and the Board of Directors in extending an enthusiastic welcome to Mike Johnson to the Watts Healthcare community.

Haregewoin (Hara) Yohannes has served as the Vice President of Finance at Watts Healthcare Corporation since April 2003 and was appointed Interim Chief Financial Officer on September 26, 2019. She previously served as Financial Analyst, Manager of Operational Analysis, Director of Finance & Analysis, Controller and Acting CFO. She has worked at Charles Drew University of Medicine and internationally on the continents of Africa and Asia.

Ms. Yohannes earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Pepperdine University Malibu and a Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance from California State University, Long Beach, California.