Redwood City – The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors today announced the appointment of Dr. Kismet Baldwin-Santana as county health officer to succeed Dr. Scott Morrow, who is retiring after 31 years of the service to the County.
Dr. Baldwin-Santana will join the County of San Mateo on Aug. 7, 2023. Dr. Morrow will continue to serve as health officer until that time.
Currently serving as interim health officer in Sonoma County, Dr. Baldwin-Santana has been a deputy health officer in Sonoma County, a health officer in San Joaquin County, and a quarantine medical officer for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She started her career as a neonatologist after receiving her medical degree from Ohio State University.
Her early experiences as a physician with infants and families in crisis because of substance abuse and other problems led to her engagement in public health prevention strategies and her career in public health. Dr. Baldwin-Santana brings extensive experience guiding public health emergency preparedness, epidemiology, public health laboratory services and communicable disease prevention, including COVID-19.
“Our recovery from the pandemic requires experienced leadership that addresses the health inequities highlighted by the pandemic,” said Supervisor Dave Pine, president of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors. “Dr. Baldwin-Santana is uniquely positioned to guide us as we continue to shape a public health system that will help San Mateo County residents live longer and better lives.”
A health officer for 30 years, Dr. Morrow leaves a legacy of strong local and regional leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, working with schools and community organizations to improve health outcomes for children and families, and addressing inequities in health care delivery for disadvantaged communities.
Dr. Baldwin-Santana said, “As a health officer in the Bay Area, I have worked with many wonderful colleagues in San Mateo County on regional initiatives, including response to COVID-19, mpox, and other public health matters. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to build on Dr. Morrow’s decades of service and commitment to the residents of San Mateo County.”
In California, county health officers are appointed by the board of supervisors. Health officers are responsible for guiding the local response to disease outbreak, promoting disease prevention, enforcing public health laws and regulations, coordinating local medical and health resources during a disaster, and advising elected officials on health policy.
Preston Merchant
Communications Officer
San Mateo County Health
(650) 867-1661
press@smchealth.org