We partnered with CareQuest Institute for Oral Health on the search for Chief Health Equity Officer. CareQuest Institute for Oral Health is a nonprofit championing a more equitable future where every person can reach their full potential through excellent health.

Our work resulted in the recruitment of Dr. Kaz Rafia to the role.

Rafia has over two decades of experience in successful startups, academia, managed care, government, and nonprofit organizations.

In his role, Rafia leads the development and execution of strategic initiatives that foster and advance engagement and access to integrated oral healthcare for ethnically and socially diverse communities served by the CareQuest Institute. Rafia also drives the organization’s efforts to elevate the integration of oral health and overall health care through the oversight of the health improvement and grantmaking teams.

Prior to joining CareQuest Institute, he served as the State Dental Director for the Oregon Health Authority, where he set the equity centered State Oral Health Strategic Plan focusing on population health measures, health care workforce development, optimization of the value-based care coordination model, and telehealth. 

Rafia also served as a Dental Volunteer for 8 years at Medical Terms International leading successful mission-critical projects.

Rafia holds a BS in Biology from Youngstown State University. He received his MBA from University of Illinois and Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins University. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from Ohio State University.