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Dr. Umair Shah, secretary of health for the Washington State Department of Health, shares some of his proudest accomplishments as he steps away from his position; Dirk Wilke is the new interim commissioner of the North Dakota Department of Health and...
Dr. Umair Shah, secretary of health for the Washington State Department of Health, shares some of his proudest accomplishments as he steps away from his position; Dirk Wilke is the new interim commissioner of the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services; and an ASTHO webinar on January 29th will be the Strategies to Repair Equity and Transform Community Health (STRETCH) 2.0 initiative’s fourth national convening.
Fox 13 Seattle News Article: WA Secretary of Health, Dr. Umair Shah, stepping down in 2025
ASTHO Web Page: Dirk Wilke, JD, MBA
ASTHO Webinar: Centering Community-Led Strategies to Sustainable Public Health Financing
SUMMER JOHNSON:
This is the award-winning Public Health Review Morning Edition for Tuesday, January 14, 2025. I'm Summer Johnson. Now, today's news from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.
UMAIR SHAH:
I'm leaving my position as the Secretary of Health for the great state of Washington after four years, and this is a culmination of 25 years of government service, and public service, and also healthcare service.
JOHNSON:
Dr. Umair Shah is stepping away after more than four years leading the Washington State Department of Health. Looking back, Shah is proud of much of the department's work over the last four years, but says the state's response after having the first confirmed COVID death in the country was remarkable.
SHAH:
Because of the efforts of so many people, but inclusive of protecting people, we had one of the lowest death rates in the country. And so, how can you not feel that your team contributed to that? And that is something where there are Washingtonians alive today because of those efforts.
JOHNSON:
Shah adds that during a time of division, public health has to work especially hard to get the message across.
SHAH:
We've got to do a markedly better job of speaking to everybody, and that means that sometimes it's not just about the scientists, sometimes it's not just public health practitioners, sometimes it's not just the government officials. It's the everyday person. It's our neighbors.
JOHNSON:
Shah leaves some words of advice for new public health leaders.
SHAH:
Model what you think needs to be done, but don't be afraid to do those things. You can do big things. You can do bold things, even when the resources are constrained. But be strong enough to take those pieces on.
JOHNSON:
Shah's last day is tomorrow, January 15. Read a new story about his departure by clicking the link in the show notes.
This morning, ASTHO welcomes a brand new member to the organization. Dirk Wilke is the new interim commissioner of the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services. Wilke joined the department in 2008 and was named executive director of the Public Health Division of Health and Human Services in 2022. ASTHO's thrilled to welcome Willke and his decades of public service to the team. You can read his full bio in the show notes.
Plus, later this month, you and your team can participate in the fourth national Strategies To Repair Equity and Transform Community Health, or STRETCH, 2.0 initiative. ASTHO's hosting the event, along with the CDC Foundation and the Michigan Public Health Institute. The focus this year will be on structural barriers that impede advancement in public health agencies. Sign up today by using the link in the show notes.
Finally, this morning, if you listen to this newscast every weekday morning, and we hope you do, you care about being informed on the latest in public health news. Get even more public health news right in your inbox if you sign up for ASTHO's Public Health Weekly newsletter. The link to sign up is in the show notes.
That'll do it for today. We're back tomorrow morning with more ASTHO news and information. I'm Summer Johnson, you're listening to the award-winning Public Health Review Morning Edition. Have a great day.
