ABOUT US

We are a California special healthcare district. Healthcare districts are designed to address gaps in healthcare access, particularly in areas with provider shortages or populations heavily reliant on government health insurance programs like Medi-Cal and Medicare, as well as the underinsured and uninsured. Services may include:

  • Hospital and inpatient care
  • Outpatient clinics and primary care
  • Emergency medical services
  • Skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities
  • Health education, wellness, and preventive programs

Historically, the Hi-Desert Memorial Health Care District (dba Morongo Basin Healthcare District) was created in 1962 when the voters of Yucca Valley and Twentynine Palms approved the original special hospital district under CA Health and Safety Code 32000. The District remains voter‑controlled, with the 5-member Board of Directors elected locally to oversee spending and ensure transparency.

In 1975, the District built and opened the Hi-Desert Memorial Hospital (aka Hi-Desert Medical Center) to serve as a regional healthcare safety net for Morongo Basin residents. Due to costs associated with operating a hospital, the District chose to outsource hospital operations to in 2015. Tenet Healthcare assumed hospital operations in July of 2015, ensuring continued access to hospital services for the community. Although we no longer operate the hospital, the District still owns the facilities and is responsible to ensure that it is kept in good repair and meeting OSHA and Quality standards.

We have continued to provide low-income residents with discounted services in primary care to both adults and pediatrics, behavioral health services (offering both Psychiatry and Psychology), and dental services.. As a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) since 2013, our Morongo Basin Community Health Centers provide services to more than 10,000 residents annually at our clinics in Yucca Valley and Twentynine Palms.

The District also supports the medical needs of the community more broadly, by providing non-emergency medical transportation free of charge to the residents of the communities we serve. We host two health fairs each year, bringing our community partners together to provide our residents with resources and information to improve their health and well-being. Our advocacy has brought many resources and partners to the community, including Find Food Bank, Community Action Partners Diaper program, and San Bernardino County Public Health. Our partnership with others ensures that resources are available to our residents.

MISSION STATEMENT

To improve the health and wellness of the communities we serve.

VISION

A healthy Morongo Basin.

VALUES

Commitment, Collaboration, Accountability, Dignity, Integrity, and Equity.

Map of Boundaries

Board Of Directors

Patricia “Pat” Cooper

Director Cooper has served as a board member of the healthcare District for many years, serving many terms on the Hi-Desert Medical Center board, through the transition of the medical center to Tenet in 2015.

Misty Evans Sharma

Director Evans is a registered nurse having graduated from Copper Mountain College with her Certified Nursing Assistant Certificate, associate’s degree in vocational nursing, and associate’s degree in Registered nursing. Her passion has always been advocacy and ethics in healthcare. In her career, she has worked in several departments of Hi-Desert Medical Center and is currently working as a Registered Nurse Care Manager for Summit Institute’s Health Homes Program, which provides care management and primary care services to a chronically ill and low-socioeconomic population. She believes healthcare is a human right and continues to actively seek ways to ensure this right for all.

Dianne Markle-Greenhouse

Dianne is a lifelong community advocate and believes serving on the Morongo Basin Healthcare District Board of Directors has been a productive avenue to making a difference in the Morongo Basin. With a strategic plan and the Community Health Needs Assessment as guideposts, the District continues to make healthcare accessible for its constituents. Dianne is proud and pleased to serve her community in such an important mission.

Jacqueline Todd

Director Todd rejoined the Board of Directors in February 2026 after being appointed to the vacant seat by the County Board of Supervisors. She has served many years on the Morongo Basin Community Health Center (CHC) volunteer governing board and currently represents the District board on the CHC board.

Vacant Seat

  • Current term of office expires December 2026
  • Represents voting zone #5
  • Contact: admin@MBHDistrict.org

Director Stiemsma has resigned effective August 31, 2026. The Board of Directors will now comply with the mandated process to seat a qualified candidate for the remainder of the term of office through December 31, 2026.

Leadership

Cindy Schmall, Chief Executive Officer

Cindy Schmall serves as Chief Executive Officer, and has been with the District for more than five years – most recently in the position of Chief Operating Officer. She has over 25 years of healthcare leadership experience, including human resources positions at Hi-Desert Medical Center from 1993 to 2006 and again in 2015 to 2016. She holds a Masters of Management degree from the University of Phoenix.

Deborah Anderson, Chief Financial Officer

Deborah Anderson specializes in the non-profit and government sectors, with over 25 years of experience in auditing and complying with single audit requirements. She received a Bachelor’s degree in accounting from Biola University – graduating summa cum laude. Previously a Certified Public Accountant licensed in the states of Virginia and Arizona, Deborah moved to the Morongo Basin in 2004 and has been an active community member.

Tricia Gehrlein, Chief Administrative Officer

Tricia is a health professional with 30+ years’ experience working within the hospital, clinic, and public settings. She has a demonstrated history of expertise working within the public, private and non-profit sectors improving health and well-being by utilizing a system change approach and fostering collaboration leading to high-impact, sustainable outcomes. Tricia received her B.S. in Business and Management from the University of Redlands and her M.B.A. from Western Governors University.