UCI Health, UC Irvine HR leader named a Becker’s CHRO to Know

Ramona Agrela led ambitious, historic integration of 4,300 new employees

Orange, Calif. — Ramona Agrela, chief human resources officer and senior vice president at UCI Health and vice chancellor of human resources for UC Irvine, has been named a Becker’s Hospital Review CHRO to Know.

Her writeup reads in part:

“As a member of both the chancellor’s and president’s cabinets, she plays a critical role in campuswide and health system decisions, with her vision driving talent acquisition, workforce planning, total rewards, onboarding and organizational culture.

In 2024, Agrela led one of the most ambitious workforce integrations in higher education and healthcare history, successfully onboarding 4,300 new employees within days following the acquisition of four hospitals and numerous ambulatory centers.”

Agrela is board president of the College and University Professionals Association–Human Resources Southern California chapter. She is also a member of the board of the American Research Universities Human Resource Institute. She was also a 2025 finalist for the National Human Resources Association of Orange County’s Executive of the Year award.

She is a Society for Human Resource Management certified senior professional, a WorldatWork certified compensation professional and a Human Capital Institute Strategic HR Business Partner.