Artwork for podcast Healthy Desert Healthy You
Anyse Smith, Attorney | A Champion of Health Equity and Access In The Coachella Valley
Episode 20 • 10th June 2026 • Healthy Desert Healthy You • Desert Healthcare District & Foundation
00:00:00 00:25:00

Share Episode

Shownotes

On this episode of Healthy Desert Healthy You, host Will Dean welcomes Anyse Smith, attorney, nonprofit legal advocate, and the newest member of the Desert Healthcare District & Foundation Board of Directors. Smith shares her remarkable journey from working with unhoused individuals at the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission to becoming an attorney dedicated to expanding access to justice for vulnerable populations. She discusses her family's healthcare background, her commitment to health equity, and why she chose to serve on the District Board. The conversation explores the District’s new community-informed strategic plan, the social determinants of health, housing affordability, healthcare access, and the realities facing underserved residents across the Coachella Valley. Smith also reflects on recovery, resilience, and the power of community support.

Takeaways:

  • Anyse Smith comes from a family of healthcare professionals and developed an early appreciation for healthcare service.
  • Her experience working with unhoused residents inspired her to attend law school and pursue nonprofit legal aid.
  • Smith believes everyone has a role to play in solving community challenges through collaboration.
  • She joined the Desert Healthcare District & Foundation Board because of its commitment to healthcare access and equity.
  • The District’s new strategic plan was shaped directly by extensive community engagement and feedback.
  • Housing affordability, transportation, food insecurity, and healthcare access are deeply interconnected.
  • Smith highlights the importance of addressing social determinants of health to improve quality of life.
  • Her personal recovery journey continues to inspire her advocacy, leadership, and service to others.

#HealthyDesertHealthyYouPodcast #WillDean #DesertHealthcareDistrictAndFoundation #CommunityWellness #AnyseSmith #HealthEquity #HealthcareAccess #CoachellaValley #SocialDeterminantsOfHealth #CommunityHealth #PublicHealth #HealthLeadership #NonprofitLeadership #LegalAid #HousingJustice #RecoveryJourney #HealthSystemAmplifier #CommunityVoices #HealthAdvocacy #DesertCommunities

Links

Chapters

Video

More from YouTube

More Episodes
20. Anyse Smith, Attorney | A Champion of Health Equity and Access In The Coachella Valley
00:25:00
19. Stassia Underwood, Trans Navigator | Building Connection Through Transgender Community Support
00:13:00
18. Evett PerezGil, DHCD Board Member | Community Roots Driving Health and Hope
00:13:00
17. Dr. Dan Logsdon | Building Healthcare Access and Innovation in the Valley
00:37:00
16. Leticia De Lara, Director, DHCD | From Farm Fields to Community Health Leadership
00:25:00
15. Karrie Schaaf | 12-Year Mentorship Transforming Coachella Valley Youth
00:20:00
14. TODEC’s Luz Gallegos on Protecting Families Through Advocacy, Care, and Hope
00:36:00
13. Dr. Roseanne Rosenthal & Marsha Uutela | Empowering Native Education Through Culture and Community
00:22:00
12. DHCD Board VP Greg Rodriguez on Healthcare, Housing, Community Impact
00:28:00
11. Alex Aguilar, Iyengar Yoga Center Coachella Valley | Accessible Yoga for Every Body and Mind
00:22:00
10. Jason Tate, Wellness Specialist, CV High School | Wellness Centers Supporting Students and Teachers
00:18:10
9. Kim McNulty, OneFuture Coachella Valley | Building the Coachella Valley Workforce Pipeline
00:28:00
8. Tim Vincent, Brothers of the Desert | Building Resilience Through Community and Wellness
00:17:00
7. Dr. Gemma Kim, MD | Expanding Pediatric Care Across Coachella Valley
00:11:00
6. DHCD News | Community Updates and Wellness Priorities Across Coachella Valley
00:11:00
5. Jax Kelly | Aging With HIV: Advocacy, Health, and Community
00:21:00
4. Dr. Angelica Geter | Shaping Community Health Through Inclusive Strategic Planning
00:14:15
3. Baltazar Aguirre, Jr., UFW Fndtn. | Farmworkers, Dignity & Community Resilience in Coachella Valley
00:19:17
2. Melanie Lewis, Pink Journey Foundation | Mammography, Education, and Hope
00:29:00
1. Deja Brown, Scholarship Recip | Building Healthcare Workforce Thru Education, Community and Purpose
00:17:00
31. Kimberly Barraza, Board President, DHCD | Leading With Vision: Kimberly Barraza on Community Health
00:20:00
30. Debbie Espinosa | Fighting Hunger Today, Tomorrow, and for a Lifetime
00:35:00
29. Jennifer Henke & Michael Phipps-Russell | Protecting Pets & People: The Coachella Valley Tick Crisis
00:20:30
28. Fernando Gutierrez | Mosquito Risks, Prevention, and Community Protection in Coachella Valley
00:16:00
27. Samantha Shapiro | Building Community & Water Resilience with an Environmental Scientist
00:13:00
26. Martha Olvera, Galilee Center | Supporting Coachella Valley Families Through Compassion and Action
00:16:47
25. Ryan Kelly | Imperial County’s Lithium Valley: Powering Progress and Community Renewal
00:08:50
24. Rob Wheeler, Mizell Center | Building Connection and Care: Inside Mizell Senior Center’s Impact
00:13:30
23. Bea Padilla, Desert Recreation District | Empowering Teens for Cleaner Air in the Coachella Valley
00:10:00
22. Cecilia Lemus, YLI | Youth Leadership Inspires Air Quality Change in Coachella Valley
00:11:50
21. Christian Rodriguez Ceja | Environmental Justice, Heat Equity, and Community Action in Coachella Valley
00:11:30
20. Mona Babauta | Hydrogen Transit and Clean Energy Innovation in Coachella Valley
00:10:00
19. Miguel Vazquez | Planning Healthier Futures: Land Use, Equity & Environment
00:33:00
18. Andrea Vidaurre on Fighting Pollution & Building Community Power
00:23:00
17. Fighting for Oswit Canyon: Jane Garrison’s Journey to 10,000 Acres Saved
00:41:00
16. Supporting Coachella Valley Children: Nicholas Rossi on Variety’s Mission
00:18:30
15. Lauren Del Sarto, Publisher, Desert Health News | 15 Years of Community Wellness In Print
00:19:00
14. Jase Nagaia | Inclusive Low-Impact Fitness Builds Community & Confidence
00:14:00
13. Melinda Cordero-Bárzaga | Visión y Compromiso | Building Health Equity Through Trusted Community Connections
00:36:58
12. Guest: David Robinson, CVEP | Healthcare Expansion Boosts Economy and Community in Coachella Valley
00:31:00
11. Shamora Wright, Black Wellness Club Founder | Empowering Wellness Through Community & Self-Care
00:20:00
10. Haley Preston, Desert Compost | From Kitchen Scraps to Nutrient-Rich Soil: The Benefits of Composting
00:19:00
9. Ryan Sendejas | Facing Climate Change: Building Community Resilience Together
00:16:45
8. William VanHemert | Addressing Air Quality and Health Disparities Together with DAP Health
00:15:45
7. Dr. Daniel Polk, HARC | Exploring Environmental Justice in the Coachella Valley
00:14:30
6. Aydee Palomino | Advancing Environmental Justice and Community Wellness in Eastern Coachella Valley
00:32:00
5. Carole Rogers | Exploring Community Health and Advocacy for All in the Coachella Valley
00:18:00
4. Oscar Ortiz | Environmental Leadership in Indio: Councilmember Discusses Key Initiatives
00:17:00
3. Dr. Jenna LeComte-Hinely | Community Survey Reveals Health Insights in Coachella Valley
00:23:50
2. Dr. Ann Cheney | Navigating Air Quality Concerns: Insights from a Medical Anthropologist
00:21:00
1. Chris Christensen | The Evolution of Healthcare Services in the Coachella Valley: Insights from Desert Healthcare District
00:14:00