The Multnomah County Health Department is proud to announce that Deputy Director Valdez Bravo has been honored with the Oregon Public Health Association’s 2025 Health Equity Champion Award. Bravo accepted his award at the Oregon Public Health Association 2025 Conference Awards Ceremony on Oct. 14 in Hillsboro.
This prestigious award recognizes a person or organization that has fundamentally advanced health equity by addressing historical and contemporary injustices and focusing on the social determinants of health. According to the Oregon Public Health Association, recipients are visionary leaders who eliminate preventable health disparities, foster inclusive public health environments by amplifying diverse voices, and demonstrate exceptional achievement through advocacy for policy and systems change to protect and promote the health of Oregon residents.
The Oregon Public Health Association is a nonprofit membership organization working to promote the health of all Oregonians by advocating for public health policies, educating the community and public health professionals, and fostering collaboration.
"Valdez Bravo’s lifelong work embodies the spirit of this award. His dedication to dismantling systemic barriers has advanced our Health Department mission, and helped ensure everyone in our community, regardless of background, has the opportunity for optimal health," said Rachael Banks, Multnomah County Health Department director.
“Beyond his work at the Health Department, this award is a testament to his dedicated leadership and his commitment to social justice."
Bravo is an Oregon native with over 25 years’ experience in healthcare, currently serving as the Multnomah County Health Department' Deputy Director. A first-generation college graduate of Latino and Native American descent, Bravo enlisted in the Army at 18 and served for eight years as a medical equipment repair technician, including a tour in Afghanistan.
Following an honorable discharge, his career advanced through numerous roles at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Portland Health Care System, culminating in his service as Associate Director at the VA Southern Oregon Rehabilitation Center & Clinics. Bravo holds two master's degrees from Baylor University, is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, and serves as the immediate past president of Oregon’s chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Beyond his executive roles, he also serves as the president of Health Care for All Oregon, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that educates about and advocates for an equitable, affordable, comprehensive, high-quality publicly funded universal healthcare system that will improve the lives of individuals, families and communities across Oregon and throughout the United States.
Bravo is also a former elected board trustee at Portland Community College, and once traveled to Liberia with Project HOPE to rebuild a medical center, demonstrating a consistent dedication to social change through community and systemic work.
In his spare time, Bravo is an aspiring screenwriter and proud dance dad who loves cheering for his daughter at high school dance team performances. He also enjoys cooking and spending time with his wife, Marie, a professor at Portland State University who is also a painter — and trying to keep up with their two chihuahuas.
