Christina Zurla

Cristina Zurla is Executive Director of Health Care Experience at West Health, where she brings deep experience in healthcare communications, public policy, and large-scale health initiatives in support of West Health’s mission to help lower healthcare costs and enable successful aging for all Americans. At West Health, she is responsible for curating and communicating data-driven insights that connect lived experience with evidence to support policymakers, health systems, and the public in understanding how the healthcare system is performing—and where change is urgently needed. Throughout her career, Christina has been at the forefront of some of our nation’s most critical health issues, helping reverse the opioid overdose epidemic, elevate women’s health issues, help millions quit smoking, and support those in recovery from substance use disorders. Her expertise lives at the intersection of data and storytelling, translating complex data into clear, trusted information that moves people to action. Prior to joining West Health, Christina held leadership roles at Gallup, the Pew Charitable Trusts, and global PR agency Porter Novelli, as well as other health and social impact organizations. Key initiatives include architecting the public roll-out of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and launching the first-ever systems-change program for hospital leaders proven to reduce burnout among our nation’s healthcare workers with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. An award-winning storyteller, Christina is recognized for elevating evidence with clarity and credibility, while bringing the public’s voice to help policymakers and leaders ensure the health and wellbeing of all Americans is at the heart of our healthcare system. Christina earned her B.A. in public communications from the American University in Washington, DC. In her free time, she enjoys golfing and exploring new countries with her family.