Community News

Nonprofit Project Independence Names Dr. Daria Yang to Board of Directors

 

by: Dan Pittman
Published: August 10, 2026

 

Daria Yang, MD

COSTA MESA...Highly regarded healthcare executive, physician, and public health leader Daria Yang, MD, MPH, CPHQ has been named to the volunteer Board of Directors of nonprofit Project Independence (PI) of Costa Mesa, California.
Dr. Yang is a physician and senior leader in quality and public health who has dedicated her career to advancing the quality of care for patients in a number of medium to large healthcare systems across the country.
 
D. Yang is the president, chief executive, and brand strategy partner at Saffron Advisory, a healthcare and business consulting firm.  She is also a faculty fellow in health systems science at Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine at Belmont University in Nashville and an adjunct professor at Gillings School of Global Public Health at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hil.  Her previous leadership roles include service with HCA Healthcare, Providence St. Jospeh  Medical Center, Kindred HealthCare, and Avanti Hospitals.
 
She received her medical degree from the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, a master’s degree in public health from Westminster College; and a bachelor’s degree in molecular and cell biology from the University of California, Berkeley.  She is a certified professional in healthcare quality, Six Sigma Green Belt certified, and a long-standing member of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

“We welcome Dr. Yang to our Board,” said PI CEO Robert Watson.  “As our organization continues to expand opportunities and enhance the lives of individuals with intellectual and physical challenges, her expertise and commitment to excellence will be invaluable assets.”

For nearly five decades, PI has been a lifeline for one of the county’s most challenged populations.  Eighty-seven cents of every dollar raised by the organization goes directly to support vital programs for people with developmental disabilities.