To: Board of Supervisors of Sonoma County
Department or Agency Name(s): Department of Health Services
Staff Name and Phone Number: Barbie Robinson, 565-7876
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Health Officer Appointment
End
Recommended Actions:
Recommended action
Adopt a resolution appointing Dr. Celeste Philip to the position of Health Officer for the County of Sonoma effective April 9, 2019.
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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. A national recruitment process was conducted and administered by the Department of Human Resources consistent with Civil Service requirements. The selection process included a panel interview with the Department of Health Services leadership team and the Marin County Health Officer, as an external subject matter expert, and a finalist interview with the Board of Supervisors. Dr. Celeste Philip has emerged as the top candidate as a result of the recruitment process.
This item requests adoption of a resolution appointing Dr. Celeste Philip to the position of Health Officer for the County of Sonoma. If approved, Dr. Phillip will begin her employment with Sonoma County on April 9, 2019.
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. A national recruitment process was conducted and administered by the Department of Human Resources consistent with Civil Service requirements. The selection process included a panel interview with the Department of Health Services leadership team and the Marin County Health Officer, as an external subject matter expert, and a finalist interview with the Board of Supervisors. Dr. Celeste Philip has emerged as the top candidate as a result of the recruitment process.
Celeste Philip, MD, MPH, brings to the County Health Officer position a wealth of knowledge and experience. Dr. Philip served as Surgeon General and Secretary of Health for the Florida Department of Health since March 2016. Appointed by the governor of Florida to this role, Dr. Philip oversaw operations of the Florida Department of Health with over 13,000 employees and a $3 billion annual budget. Celeste has significant knowledge in disease surveillance and investigation, health promotion, and regulatory services to prevent disease and injury, improve residents’ quality of life, and reduce disparities in health status. Her accomplishments in this role include: leading statewide Zika Virus response which resulted in identification and disruption of on-going mosquito-borne transmission in four locations in Florida’s Miami-Dade area; overseeing Florida Department of Health activities as lead agency for Emergency Support Functions during five hurricanes, including Irma (2017) and Michael (2018); standardizing administrative procedures for budget and human resources in the 67 Florida county health departments; guiding redesign of HIV program and legislative funding changes to support emerging prevention strategies such as Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis; chairing steering committee to oversee state health assessment and five-year improvement plan; forging new partnership and funding with the John A. Hartford Foundation and Trust for America’s Health to explore public health framework for healthy aging; and successfully maintaining tobacco prevention funding levels through a constitutional amendment for a nationally recognized program.
Prior to her role as Surgeon General and Secretary of Health for the Florida Department of Health, Dr. Philip served as Deputy Secretary for Health and Deputy State Health Officer for Children’s Medical Services for the State of Florida. From June 2013 to May 2016, Dr. Philip oversaw approximately 1,650 employees and managed a $1.7 billion budget in the Divisions of Children’s Medical Services, Disease Control and Health Protection, Community Health Promotion, Emergency Preparedness and Community Support, the Office of Minority Health and Health Equity, and the Office of Compassionate Use. Accomplishments while in this role include: negotiation of settlement terms to end decade-long litigation over Title XIX which led to collaboration on immunizations, mental health, and opioids with clinician groups; successful roll-out and accreditation of specialty managed care plan for children with special health care needs, and accreditation of the department through the Public Health Accreditation Board; and strengthened Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-recognized cancer registry by securing increased state funds and executing a data use agreement with the Veterans Administration.
Dr. Philip will provide direction and collaborate on implementation of the Department of Health Services Strategic Plan, will work to develop and implement 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. Dr. Philip brings energy, experience, and skills to promote the health of Sonoma County residents of all ages with a focus on prevention and addressing health inequities and the social and environmental determinants of health such as land use planning, transportation, housing, income, and education.
Dr. Philip is board-certified in Preventive and Family Medicine, holding a Doctorate of Medicine from Loma Linda University School of Medicine and a Master of Public Health from Loma Linda University School of Public Health.
If approved, Dr. Phillip will begin her employment with Sonoma County on April 9, 2019.
Prior Board Actions:
On June 10, 2014 the Board adopted a resolution appointing Dr. Karen Milman to the position of Health Officer for the County of Sonoma.
Fiscal Summary
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
There are no fiscal impacts associated with this item.
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
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Attachments:
Resolution
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None