San Diego County Public Health Officer Dr. Wilma J. Wooten was recently honored with the prestigious Beverlee A. Myers Award for Excellence in Public Health from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). Dr. Wooten has been serving as the county’s public health officer since 2007 and has been recognized for her exceptional leadership and dedication to all aspects of public health, including her 23 years of service to the county.
During the award ceremony in Sacramento, Dr. Wooten was praised for her character and resilience in the face of adversity. She has been a role model for young Black American girls interested in pursuing careers in medicine and science, and has been at the forefront of San Diego County’s response to COVID-19, providing regular updates to the public and media.
In her remarks at the ceremony, Dr. Wooten emphasized the importance of engaging with people who may not always agree with you, despite facing criticism and backlash from some members of the community. She expressed gratitude for the support she received from the county’s public health services team and other health officials across the state, while acknowledging that there is still much work to be done in improving public health outcomes for all residents of San Diego County.
Dr. Wooten joined the county in 2001 and has a background in biology and public health, having earned her degrees from Spelman College and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. The Beverlee A. Myers Award, named after the late Beverlee A. Myers, was established in 1993 in recognition of her 25-year career with CDPH, which included serving as director of infectious disease control before taking on her current role as public health officer.
Overall, Dr. Wooten’s recognition by CDPH is a testament to her commitment to improving public health outcomes for all residents of San Diego County through strong leadership and dedication to this important field.
The ceremony took place on October 8th at a hotel conference center downtown Sacramento where distinguished guests gathered to recognize Dr. Wooten’s achievements.
In conclusion, San Diego County Public Health Officer Dr
