Region 8

Elsa C. Ramirez is the Acting Regional Director and Executive Officer for the United States Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS) in Region VIII, based in Denver, Colorado. Region VIII includes Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. In this capacity, Elsa is a USDHHS representative providing information and technical assistance regarding federal health policy and USDHHS initiatives to state, local, and Tribal government officials, as well as the public. She began her USDHHS career with the Office of the Regional Director in Region VIII as a Regional Outreach Specialist in 2012.

Prior to joining USDHHS, Elsa managed Western regional policy engagement initiatives focusing on health reform implementation, child and family welfare, civil rights, and energy economy issues for national organizations, while based in Washington, DC. Elsa is a Texas native with state and local government experience gained working at the Texas Legislature and UK Parliament. Elsa has a B.A. in Political Science from George Washington University and a M.A. in Politics from London Metropolitan University.