Dora Mejia

Dr. Dora Mejia has dedicated the past two decades of her career to public service within local government, specializing in Emergency Management. Her extensive experience encompasses multiple sectors, including Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Healthcare, Public Health, Homeland Security, and Behavioral Health. In her most recent role, she led her division in disaster preparedness and response, focusing on the deployment of Crisis Counseling teams and Disaster Mental Health services to communities affected by emergencies and disasters. Highlighting the importance of addressing behavioral health needs in emergency situations during disasters. 

Dr. Mejia's initiatives supported not only a workforce of over 1,400 employees but also community-based organizations and residents of San Bernardino County. Her leadership involved disaster preparedness planning, training, and response coordination, as well as the interpretation and implementation of workplace safety and security standards.

She is a certified Emergency Management Specialist and Terrorism and Homeland Security Specialist through Cal OES. Dr. Mejia holds a B.A. in Psychology and an M.A. in Rehabilitation Counseling from California State University, San Bernardino and has returned to her alma mater as the Emergency Manager. In the fall of 2023, she successfully defended her doctoral dissertation, earning a Doctorate in Counseling Psychology from California Southern University in Costa Mesa. Her dissertation addressed the mental health effects of vicarious trauma among first responders, with the aim of raising awareness about the critical importance of mental health for frontline healthcare workers and public safety professionals.