Shelley Lyford

West Health

Sacramento Delegation Attendee 2020

Shelley Lyford is President and CEO of West Health, a family of nonprofit, nonpartisan organizations solely funded by Gary and Mary West and dedicated to lowering healthcare costs to enable seniors to successfully age in place with access to high-quality, affordable health and support services that preserve and protect their dignity, quality of life and independence. West Health includes the West Health Institute and Gary and Mary West Foundation in San Diego, and the West Health Policy Center in Washington, D.C. Shelley helped establish the Foundation in 2006, which has awarded over 560 grants totaling more than $223 million. She spearheaded the development of several new models of senior-focused care in San Diego, including a geriatric emergency department, a nonprofit senior dental center and PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for Elderly). In addition, Shelley oversees West Health’s applied medical research and policy work focused on senior-specific care and devising solutions that slow the trajectory of rising healthcare costs while improving access and quality. Shelley was a driving force behind California’s decision to create its first Master Plan for Aging and was appointed by the Governor to serve on the advisory committee developing the plan. She also serves on the California Commission on Aging. Shelley serves as vice chair Civcia Rx, a non-profit generic drug company. She is the Chair of the West Senior Dental Center and sits on numerous other nonprofit boards. Lyford holds a master’s degree in international relations and political economy from the University of San Diego