Worsham provides 32 years of public health experience in rural and urban health systems
Olympia – Today, Governor Bob Ferguson has appointed Dennis Worsham as the new Washington Health Secretary, from July 7. Worsham, a Washingtonian for life,
Direct the State Department of Health (DOH) after 32 years of experience in public health and leadership in rural and urban public health systems.
More recently, Worsham was the first public health director of the Snohomish County Health Department, after the Snohomish Health District integrated into the County government in 2023.
“Dennis Worsham is well placed to lead the Ministry of Health,” said Governor Ferguson. “His decades of experience and general skills will help trace a new vision of public health in Washington State.”
“As Washington Secretary of Health, I am honored to serve and deeply committed to maintaining and strengthening a public health system not only resilient, but also fairer,” said Worsham. “It is essential that we continue to build a system that wins the confidence of communities and that the effort for each person to have equitable access to the care and resources they need to prosper. Public health is not only to resolve diseases and injuries – it is a question of preventing them. for all. “”
Worsham grew up in Othello, Washington. He has held several management positions throughout his career at local levels and states, including the assistant health secretary at Doh and acting director of public health for Seattle and King County. Worsham began his career in public health in the Snohomish health district in the 1990s. There, he worked as head of the HIV / STD / hepatitis program and health educator.
Worsham also has experience in politicians and advocacy. He has held positions in the public health committees and commissions, in particular as a member of the Management Committee tomorrow, president and vice-president of the Washington State Public Association (WSPHA), president and member of the Washington State Round Health Table, and as a long-standing member of the Basic Public Health Services Committee of the State of Washington.
Worsham obtained a baccalaureate in health administration at the Eastern Washington University.