To: County of Sonoma Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Department of Health Services
Staff Name and Phone Number: Tina Rivera, 707-565-4774
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Interim Health Officer Appointment
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Adopt a resolution appointing Dr. Kismet Baldwin-Santana to the position of Interim Health Officer for the County of Sonoma effective April 18, 2023.
end
Executive Summary:
The Board of Supervisors appoints the County Health Officer in accordance with California Health and Safety Code Section 101000. The Health Officer reports to the Board through the Director of Health Services. The County Health Officer provides leadership for the protection of public health, enforcement of public health regulations, and serves as an advisor to elected and appointed officials, members of the medical profession, and the public on matters affecting health and safety.
Dr. Sundari Mase, who was appointed County Health Officer on November 17, 2020, has notified the County of her resignation, effective April 7, 2023. As such, the County has an immediate need to appoint an Interim Health Officer pending a recruitment to fill the position.
This item requests adoption of a resolution appointing Dr. Kismet Baldwin-Santana to the position of Interim Health Officer for the County of Sonoma. If approved, Dr. Baldwin-Santana will assume the role of Interim Health Officer effective April 18, 2023.
Discussion:
The Board of Supervisors appoints the County Health Officer in accordance with California Health and Safety Code Section 101000. The Health Officer reports to the Board through the Director of Health Services. The County Health Officer provides leadership for the protection of public health, enforcement of public health regulations, and serves as an advisor to elected and appointed officials, members of the medical profession, and the public on matters affecting health and safety.
Dr. Sundari Mase, who was appointed County Health Officer on November 17, 2020, has notified the County of her resignation, effective April 7, 2023. As such, the County has an immediate need to appoint an Interim Health Officer.
This item requests adoption of a resolution appointing Dr. Baldwin-Santana to the position of Interim Health Officer for the County of Sonoma. If approved, Dr. Baldwin-Santana will assume the role of Interim Health Officer on April 18, 2023.
Since July 10, 2020 Dr. Baldwin-Santana has held the position of Deputy Public Health Officer in Sonoma County. The Deputy Public Health Officer supports and shares responsibility with the Health Officer in the protection of County residents from public health hazards, including leading the response to urgent threats, such as epidemics, as well as identifying and addressing key public health priorities. The Deputy Public Health Officer serves to provide medical expertise and management for program units including Disease Control & Surveillance, the Public Health Lab, Public Health Preparedness, Special Clinical Services, and the Office of Vital Statistics.
Dr. Baldwin-Santana served as San Joaquin County’s Health Officer from 2018-2019. While in that position, she worked with a team to develop long-range public health policy goals, objectives, and strategies for the health department, as well as for individual programs such as tuberculosis, STI/HIV, and communicable disease programs, with epidemiologic investigations providing a common source of insight into a wide range of potential public health concerns. Dr. Baldwin-Santana also served as Quarantine Medical Officer for San Francisco airport, providing clinical and epidemiological guidance in response to reports of illness in travelers and crew members.
Dr. Baldwin-Santana brings a wealth of expertise in her specialized field of Neonatology. Upon completion of a pediatric residency at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore and a fellowship at UCLA, she subsequently spent a year continuing her fellowship research, focusing on stem cell gene therapy for sickle cell disease. She then practiced as a neonatologist at Elliot Hospital in New Hampshire. While caring for mothers and babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Dr. Baldwin-Santana developed an interest in the community and socioeconomic factors affecting the health of her patients, sparking the desire to pursue the public health arena which ultimately led to her move to California. She is currently working on completing her Master of Public Health degree at the University of California, Berkeley.
Dr. Baldwin-Santana grew up in Ohio and attended Ohio State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and a Doctor of Medicine.
Dr. Baldwin-Santana will assume responsibility as the Interim Sonoma County Health Officer of the Department of Health Services. A focal point of her duties is preparing the County's response to disasters, including acting as the County's spokesperson on matters related to disease outbreak and working with various government organizations, local hospitals, clinics, and other health care organizations. She will collaborate on implementation of the Department of Health Services Strategic plan, will assist in developing and implementing health policies that improve community health in Sonoma County, and will ensure that Board of Supervisors' priorities are met. She will work with community partners on local initiatives including, but not limited to, the local food system, water and environmental quality, dental health for children and adults, and the health care delivery system integration supporting the "Triple Aim" of improved care, decreased cost, and increased access.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Prior Board Actions:
On November 17, 2020 the Board adopted a resolution transitioning Dr. Sundari R. Mase from a provisional appointment to a regular appointment for the position of Health Officer for the County of Sonoma, effective November 17, 2020.
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY 22-23 Adopted |
FY 23-24 Projected |
FY 24-25 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$462,345 |
$487,130 |
$509,050 |
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
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|
|
Total Expenditures |
$462,345 |
$487,130 |
$509,050 |
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Funding Sources |
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General Fund/WA GF |
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State/Federal |
$462,345 |
$487,130 |
$509,050 |
|
Fees/Other |
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Use of Fund Balance |
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Contingencies |
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Total Sources |
$462,345 |
$487,130 |
$509,050 |
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
The Department’s FY 22-23 budget includes the Health Officer salaries and benefits totaling $462,345. The interim appointment will utilize this budgeted appropriation and funding (1991 Health Realignment funds) for the remainder of the fiscal year. FY 23-24 recommended budget includes the expense and revenue for the Health Officer.
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Staffing Impacts: |
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Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
Monthly Salary Range (A-I Step) |
Additions (Number) |
Deletions (Number) |
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
Attachment 1 - Resolution
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None