Special Notice / Hearing: None
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: President Dave Pine, District 1
Subject: Appointment of Dr. Kismet Baldwin-Santana as County Health Officer
RECOMMENDATION:
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Recommendation to appoint Dr. Kismet Baldwin-Santana as County Health Officer.
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BACKGROUND:
Each county in California is mandated to preserve and protect the public health. The County Health Officer serves a key role in discharging this duty. The Health Officer role is unique and challenging, and possesses numerous distinct duties and broad authorities, defined in California law, to take action to prevent disease and protect the community’s health status. The Health Officer is central to providing public health leadership, developing public health policy for the community, ensuring the enforcement of California codes and regulations, and assuring the effectiveness of the mandated health protection function of local government.
Pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 101000 and County Ordinance 5.64.040, the Board of Supervisors appoints the County Health Officer.
DISCUSSION:
The County has conducted an executive search for the position of County Health Officer. Dr. Kismet Baldwin-Santana is recommended as the best candidate for this position given her extensive experience and leadership in public health.
Dr. Baldwin-Santana’s professional experience includes her current role as the Interim County Health Officer at the Sonoma County Department of Health Services. She has also served as Deputy Health Officer, where she provided medical oversight and leadership for various public health programs. Prior to joining Sonoma County, Dr. Baldwin-Santana was a Quarantine Medical Officer at SFO Airport, offering clinical and technical consultation during the COVID-19 pandemic. She has also served as a Public Health Officer at San Joaquin County Public Health Services, where she developed long-range public health policy goals, objectives, and strategies. Dr. Baldwin-Santana holds a Master of Public Health from the University of California, Berkeley. Additionally, she has a Doctor of Medicine degree from Ohio State University and a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from the same institution. She has also completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of California, Los Angeles. Aside from professional and educational expertise, Dr. Baldwin-Santana has also been involved in research, publications, presentations, and committee work related to advancing public health and has obtained relevant licenses and certifications.
Dr. Baldwin-Santana will start her new role as the County Health Officer on August 7, 2023.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Dr. Baldwin-Santana will start at the County Health Officer Step C level. The compensation and benefits for this position are set forth in the County’s Resolution establishing the salary and benefits for the unrepresented Management Employees of the County approved by this Board in February of 2022. The base salary for this position was more recently updated by the Master Salary Resolution Amendment adopted by your Board on January 17, 2023.