Redwood City – County Executive Mike Callagy today announced the appointment of Colleen Chawla as the new chief of San Mateo County Health, the organization’s largest department.
“I’m thrilled to introduce Colleen to our community. She brings tremendous enthusiasm to take on this leadership role that is so impactful to so many of our residents,” Callagy said. “Her expansive health and executive leadership experience will serve the County and community well today and into the future.”
Chawla comes to the Peninsula from Alameda County Health where she has served as agency director since 2017.
On Tuesday, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors is expected to confirm Chawla’s appointment. She is expected to start on Feb. 18, 2025, as the leader of a department with 2,200 employees and a $1.3 billion annual budget.
Chawla traces her interest in health policy and administration to volunteer work more than three decades ago for an AIDS information hotline.
“That volunteer position launched a career in health policy and public health, sustained over the years by the things that matter deeply to me – the right to health, equity and justice, and stewardship of the public’s trust,” Chawla said.
Chawla emerged as the top candidate to succeed Louise Rogers, who has served as health chief since 2015. Rogers announced this fall she was retiring after 22 years of holding numerous leadership positions in San Mateo County Health.
“I’ve known Colleen for many years,” Rogers said. “We navigated – and weathered – many of the challenges of the pandemic together as Bay Area health directors and she was consistently calm and thoughtful in the face of everything coming our way. She also seems to find grace and a sense of humor as so often is needed. I will retire with great confidence that County Health is in great hands.”
Chawla holds a master’s degree in public administration/health services administration from the University of San Francisco and a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Southern California. Prior to joining Alameda County, she held several roles during her 13 years at the San Francisco Department of Public Health, including deputy director of health.
As Alameda County Health director, Chawla has overseen 1,900 employees and a $1.2 billion annual budget in a county with a population of more than double that of San Mateo County. The agency’s portfolio includes public health, behavioral health, environmental health and housing and homelessness. A key difference: San Mateo County operates its own public hospital, San Mateo Medical Center; Alameda County has a separate agency that operates its public hospitals and clinics.
Along with its San Mateo Medical Center, San Mateo County Health operates an extensive network of clinics that serve 100,000 individuals and families. County Health also operates a public health lab, conducts restaurant inspections, protects vulnerable seniors and other populations, contacts with a network of community-based providers for substance use counseling and supports the community in ways that fulfill its mission “to help everyone in San Mateo County live longer and better lives.”
Michelle Durand
Chief Communications Officer
mdurand@smcgov.org