Memorandum
Date: March 18, 2025
To: The Honorable Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Anthony Arton, Health Services Director
Subject: Consideration of Contracted Public Health Officer and Professional Services Contract with Anju Goel, MD, MPH, for a Term of Six Months for an Amount not to Exceed $49,860 for the Term of the Agreement and Authorize the Health Services Director to Sign
Executive Summary:
The current Public Health Officer, Noemi Doohan, MD, MPH, PhD, has resigned her position effective March 31, 2025. In order to ensure that ongoing public health mandates for services will continue, Lake County Health Services (LCHS) respectfully requests that your board approve this contract for temporary services with Anju Goel, MD, MPH for a term of six months.
Dr. Goel is very qualified for this role. She brings extensive experience as an Interim Health Officer in California and has served as an independent medical doctor for the CDC. Her deep expertise in public health makes her an ideal candidate to provide the necessary support.
After being declined by three potential contractors for reasons such as conflicting obligations, and potential reimbursement rates, and reaching out to two others via email with mixed responses, Dr. Goel was recommended to us.
Appointing a contracted temporary Public Health Officer will ensure continuity and effectiveness of LCHS operations and will avoid a lapse of coverage and services to our community. Without the appointment of a Public Health Officer, vital records and immunization services will be immediately impacted, among other services.
LCHS is committed to community health and safety and this appointment is essential to the department in meeting regulatory, strategic, and emergency response obligations.
After careful review, staff recommends appointing Anju Goel, M.D., M.P.H., as the Temporary Public Health Officer for the County of Lake from April 1, 2025, through September 30, 2025, to provide Public Health Officer coverage.
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Recommended Action: Approve temporary Public Health Officer Appointment and Professional Services Contract with Anju Goel, MD, MPH for a Term of Six Months for an Amount not to Exceed $49,860 for the Term of the Agreement and Authorize the Health Services Director to Sign.