Snohomish County public health director named to lead state Health Department
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- Governor Ferguson appointed Dennis Worsham as state health secretary, effective July 7.
- Worsham brings 32 years of experience across urban and rural health systems.
- He plans to prioritize equity, resilience, and prevention in public health policy.
Washington state has a new health secretary.
Gov. Bob Ferguson on June 9 tapped Dennis Worsham to helm the state Department of Health, effective July 7. Worsham has more than three decades of experience and leadership in both urban and rural public health systems.
After the 2023 integration of the Snohomish Health District into county government, Worsham served as the Snohomish County Health Department’s first public health director, as noted in a June 9 news release.
“Dennis Worsham is well positioned to lead the Department of Health,” Ferguson said in the release. “His decades of experience and broad skill set will help chart a new vision for public health in Washington state.”
Worsham is a lifelong Washingtonian who’s worked in multiple local and state leadership roles. He was previously the state health department’s deputy secretary for health and also acted as interim director of public health for Seattle and King County.
In the 1990s, Wortham started his career as an HIV/STD/hepatitis program manager and health educator at the Snohomish Health District. He’s also served in various public health committee and commission roles, including as president and vice president of the Washington State Public Health Association.
He obtained a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Washington University in health services administration.
Worsham said that as health secretary, he’ll work to ensure the public health system is resilient and more just. He underscored the importance of building a system that earns communities’ trust and seeks equitable health care access and resources for all.
“Public health is not just about addressing illness and injury — it’s about preventing them,” Worsham said in a news release. “It’s about preparing for the unexpected, addressing root causes of health inequities, and investing in systems that protect people before a crisis begins. We must ensure health and well-being is not a privilege but a shared foundation for all.”
Dr. Umair Shah was the last permanent Health Secretary. Shah, who was appointed by then-Gov. Jay Inslee in late 2020, told health department employees in November that he’d be stepping down, a choice he said would allow him to spend time with family while mulling his next move.
In January, as governor-elect, Ferguson named Jessica Todorovich to serve as acting secretary until a permanent appointment could be made.
This story was originally published June 11, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
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