New Public Health Director Appointed

Dr. Eric G. Walsh has been appointed as the director of public health and public health officer for Pasadena City Manager Michael Beck announced Tuesday.

According to Beck, Walsh is set to provide overall medical direction and guidance for the Pasadena Public Health Department and will be responsible

for enforcing local and state public health orders, ordinances and statutes.As
a key coordinator for emergency response planning and operations, he will work with local, state and federal agencies to take preventive measures to protect and preserve the public health Beck explained.

“Dr. Walsh is filling a strategic executive management position and will be actively involved in community health policy development, planning and service delivery,” Beck said. “I am impressed with Eric’s passion for public health and expect Pasadena’s Public Health Department will become a national model under his leadership.”

Before coming to Pasadena, Walsh worked for the Orange County Public Health Department as medical director of the Family Health Division. He served on the President’s Council on HIV/AIDS and the National Advisory Council on Sexual Health.

“I am excited for the opportunity to work in a city with a rich history, strong civic leadership and a highly recognized heritage of public health work,” Walsh said. “I am sure we will build on the strong foundation of public health in Pasadena and continue to be a beacon of great public health programs and outcomes in California and beyond.”

Walsh and his wife Annette live in Orange County with their children Johan, Jasmine and Eric III. They plan on moving to or near the Pasadena area.

Pasadena’s previous director of public health, Dr. Takashi Wada, became the director of the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department in March.

Only three cities in California have municipally managed public health departments that are not under the jurisdiction of county departments: Pasadena, Long Beach and Berkeley. All other cities are under the public health jurisdiction of the counties in which they are located.

For more information visit www.cityofpasadena.net/publichealth or call (626) 744-6055.