Former state public health director named Sonoma County interim health officer

Dr. Karen Smith, an experienced public health official who previously served four years as director of the California Department of Public Health and state health officer, has been appointed as Sonoma County’s interim health officer.

A physician specializing in infectious disease and public health with a master’s degree in public health, Dr. Smith has led health departments at the state and local level, including as Sonoma County’s interim health officer from August to November 2023.

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today approved the appointment of Dr. Smith, who will serve in the interim role while the County completes a nationwide search for a permanent replacement for current Health Officer Dr. Tanya Phares, who has notified the County of her plans to return to clinical work. Dr. Smith’s appointment is effective Oct. 28.

“We are excited to welcome Dr. Karen Smith back as Sonoma County’s interim health officer,” said Jennifer Solito, interim director of the Department of Health Services. “Her extensive background in public health, and her intimate knowledge of Sonoma County’s health system, makes her more than qualified to lead us through our most pressing public health challenges.”

The health officer serves as the chief medical officer and top health policy official for the county. Health officers are granted authority from the state to declare public health emergencies, issue health orders and impose penalties for noncompliance.

Dr. Smith was appointed in 2015 by Gov. Jerry Brown as the California State Public Health Officer and director of the California Department of Public Health, a position she held through July of 2019. She previously served as Napa County's health officer and deputy director of Napa County Health and Human Services Agency. She was a member of the medical staff for infectious disease at Queen of the Valley Medical Center in Napa from 2012 to 2015. Prior to her work in Napa County, Dr. Smith served as deputy health officer and tuberculosis control officer for Santa Clara County, where she was also clinical faculty at the Santa Clara County Valley Medical Center Division of Infectious Diseases and at the Santa Clara County Tuberculosis clinic.

Dr. Smith completed her medical training and infectious diseases fellowship at Stanford University after earning a Master of Public Health degree at Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public health. Prior to her public health and medical training, she served in the Peace Corps as public health laboratory director for the Marrakesh Province in Morocco, and at the Wichienburi Regional Hospital in Thailand.

The Board approved the agreement with Dr. Karen Smith for interim health officer services for an amount not-to-exceed $123,616 through July 28, 2025. The agreement includes a provision for early termination once a permanent health officer is appointed.

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Media Contact:
Matt Brown, Communications Specialist
publicaffairs@sonoma-county.org
(707) 565-3040
575 Administration Drive, Suite 104A
Santa Rosa, CA 95403