New Sonoma County Health Officer Tapped

Lynn Silver Chalfin, MD, MPH, has been selected as Sonoma County Health Officer.

Sonoma County Board of Supervisors announced Chalfin's appointment at their public meeting Tuesday, said Jim Leddy, county public information officer.

"The Health Officer provides leadership for the public health protection, health policy development and serves as an advisor to elected and appointed officials, members of the medical profession, and the public on matters affecting public health and safety," Leddy said.

Chalfin will replace Mary Maddox Gonzalez, who retired.

“Dr. Silver-Chalfin brings to Sonoma County a combination of personal experience and professional qualification that will serve our community to the highest standards," said Sonoma County Supervisor Chairwoman Shirlee Zane. "I am confident that Dr. Silver-Chalfin will assist us in achieving our goal to become the healthiest county in the state by 2020.”

Chalfin said she would seek to "... make Sonoma the healthiest place to live in California, for all its residents.”

Chalfin will report to Rita Scardaci, Director of Health Services.

Chalfin is past director of the Office of Science and Policy, of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 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, worksite wellness.

Chalfin led NYC policy initiatives, such as the NYC Trans Fat ban, the nation’s first calorie labeling law, the National Salt Reduction Initiative, public food procurement standards, and the joint Department - American Institute of Architects FIT-CITY program to create a built environment conducive to physical activity. Childhood obesity has begun to decline in New York City.

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 MD and MPH degrees and pediatric training from the Johns Hopkins University and Hospital. Chalfin is married to Donald Silver Chalfin, a physician, and has two daughters, Isabel and Isadora Nogueira, and three stepsons, Carlos Emidio, Pedro and Gregory.

 The position is included within the Sonoma County Civil Service System. A recruitment process was conducted and administered by the Department of Human Resources consistent with Civil Service requirements.

 The assigned salary range for the Health Officer position is $166,656 to $202,555 annually. The position receives the same benefits assigned to other Salary Resolution Administrative Management Classifications.

 Chalfin will begin her service in April 2012.