SANTA ROSA -- The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today named Lynn Silver-Chalfin, M.D., M.P.H., as the county's new health officer, responsible for health policy development and advising government and medical professionals on public health and safety.
“Dr. Silver-Chalfin brings to Sonoma County a combination of personal experience and professional qualification that will serve our community to the highest standards.," board Chairwoman Shirlee Zane said. "I am confident that Dr. Silver-Chalfin will assist us in achieving our goal to become the healthiest county in the state by 2020.”
She replaces interim health officer Mark Netherda. The previous health officer, Mary Maddux-Gonzalez, retired in 2011 and went to work for the Redwood Community Health Coalition.
“I look forward to working with the county’s Board of Supervisors that has honored me today with its confidence, its cities, and its vibrant and diverse communities,” said Dr. Silver Chalfin. "I will seek to tap our imagination, hard work and make Sonoma the healthiest place to live in California, for all its residents."
Dr. Chalfin, who will start in the new position in April, is past director of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Office of Science and Policy, where she worked since 2004. As assistant commissioner for chronic disease, she coordinated much of the department’s response to the epidemic of obesity and diabetes, as well as overseeing programs in cancer, cardiovascular disease, asthma and worksite wellness. She also led New York City policy initiatives such as the trans fat ban, the nation’s first calorie-labeling law, the National Salt Reduction Initiative, public food-procurement standards and the joint FIT-CITY program by the city health department and the American Institute of Architects, an endeavor to create a built environment conducive to physical activity.
Dr. Silver-Chalfin was previously visiting scholar of international health at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm and is an associate professor and former director of the School of Health Sciences of the University of Brasilia. She has worked internationally on health policy and has published extensively in public health. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of California at Santa Barbara and her medical and public health degrees as well as pediatric training from the Johns Hopkins University and Hospital.
The Sonoma County health officer position is included within the Sonoma County Civil Service System. The assigned salary range is $166,656 to $202,555 annually.
Dr. Silver Chalfin’s work in health policy provides a seamless match with our efforts to make Sonoma County the healthiest county in the state by 2020," said Rita Scardaci, director of Sonoma County Health Services.
