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Sonoma County selects administrator from Texas to head $275 million local health agency - Santa Rosa Press Democrat

Sonoma County selects administrator from Texas to head $275 million local health agency - Santa Rosa Press Democrat

Oct 23, 2021 55 secs

A county health administrator from the Austin, Texas, metro area has been chosen to lead the Sonoma County Department of Health Services, wrapping up a lengthy national search that began after the departure of Barbie Robinson in May.

Derrick Neal, 50, is the former executive director of the Williamson County and Cities Health District, an agency that serves a population of more than 600,000 people.

Though it serves more people than Sonoma County, the Williamson County health agency has a vastly smaller budget and fewer personnel than the one Neal with be taking on Dec.1, his expected start date.

During an interview Friday, Neal acknowledged he has not headed a health agency as large as the local $275 million, 580-employee health services department.

But he said he’s up for the challenge and brings a collaborative approach to solving some of the vexing public health issues Sonoma County faces, including homelessness, mental health and health care gaps between rural and urban areas.

In a county news release, 5th District Supervisor Lynda Hopkins describes Neal as having “experience leading large public health departments,” making him well-suited for the job.

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