Memorandum
Date: August 4, 2026
To: The Honorable Brad Rasmussen, Chair, Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Lisa Faraco, Health Services Director
Subject: EXTRA ITEM: (a) Consideration of “extra” agenda item, and (b) Consideration of Interim Public Health Officer Appointment and Professional Services Contract with Noemi Doohan, MD, MPH, PhD for a Term of Six Months for an Amount not to Exceed $90,000 for the Term of the Agreement and Authorize the Health Services Director to Sign
Executive Summary:
(a) This item is being submitted as an “extra” agenda item. The justification for this request to consider an item not on the posted agenda is as follows:
This item came to my attention subsequent to the posting of the current agenda and there is a need to take action before the next agenda. The current Interim Public Health Officer, Anju Goel, MD, MPH, declined to renew her contract which expired at midnight on Friday, July 31, 2026. Staff had anticipated that this contract would be renewed or extended through August 4th as negotiations were still ongoing. Without an appointed Public Health Officer, vital records work is at a standstill, the Health Services clinic cannot provide immunization services, and patients requiring clearance cannot be released from the hospital.
(b) After contacting multiple prospective Public Health Officers and Health Services Directors for assistance, Noemi Mimi Doohan MD PhD MPH, has agreed to provide short-term coverage. Dr. Doohan is currently the Public Health Officer for City of Berkeley. This offer of coverage was approved by her current employer and the State late Monday morning. This short-term appointment will ensure that ongoing public health mandates for services will continue. Lake County Health Services respectfully requests that your board approve this contract for temporary services with Noemi Mimi Doohan MD PhD MPH for a term of six months.
If not budgeted, fill in the blanks below only:
Estimated Cost: ________ Amount Budgeted: ________ Additional Requested: ________ Future Annual Cost: ________
Purchasing Considerations (check all that apply): ☒ Not applicable
☐ Fully Article X. <https://library.municode.com/ca/lake_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH2AD_ARTXPU_S2-38EXCOBI>- and/or Consultant Selection Policy <http://lcnet.co.lake.ca.us/Assets/Intranet/Policy/Policies+$!26+Procedures+Manual/Ch4_2021v2.pdf>-Compliant (describe process undertaken in “Executive Summary”)
☐ Section 2-38 <https://library.municode.com/ca/lake_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH2AD_ARTXPU_S2-38EXCOBI> Exemption from Competitive Bidding (rationale in “Executive Summary,” attach documentation, as needed)
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Consistency with Vision 2028 <http://www.lakecountyca.gov/Government/Directory/Administration/Visioning/Vision2028.htm> (check all that apply): ☐ Not applicable
☒ Well-being of Residents ☒ Public Safety ☐ Disaster Prevention, Preparedness, Recovery
☐ Economic Development ☐ Infrastructure ☒ County Workforce
☐ Community Collaboration ☐ Business Process Efficiency ☐ Clear Lake
Recommended Action:
(a) I request that the Board take action by motion to accept this item for consideration as an “extra” agenda item.
(b) Approve Interim Public Health Officer Appointment and Professional Services Contract with Noemi Doohan, MD, MPH, PhD for a Term of Six Months for an Amount not to Exceed $90,000 for the Term of the Agreement and Authorize the Health Services Director to Sign.