Dr. Wilma J. Wooten, the County Public Health Officer, was recently honored by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) with the prestigious Beverlee A. Myers Award for Excellence in Public Health. This award acknowledges outstanding leadership and dedication across all areas of public health. During an award ceremony held in Sacramento, her 23-year service to the County and her exceptional leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic were highlighted.
Dr. Wooten’s journey to becoming a public health leader began in rural Alabama, where she was the first person in her family to attend college. After graduating from Spelman College with a degree in biology, she pursued her Master of Public Health at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, where she also completed her doctorate at the school of medicine. In her acceptance speech for the award, Dr. Wooten expressed gratitude to her Public Health Services team and fellow health officers in the state for their support.
She emphasized the importance of adhering to the American Public Health Association’s “10 Essential Public Health Services” and shared valuable lessons that have guided her throughout her career. Dr. Wooten advised others to seek feedback from a variety of perspectives when implementing new ideas and not to dwell on things beyond their control. The Beverlee A. Meyers Award, established in 1993 in honor of Beverlee A. Myers, recognizes the outstanding contributions of public health professionals like Dr. Wooten.
CDPH leadership praised Dr. Wooten for her resilience and character that shone through during the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Susan Fanelli, Chief Deputy Director at CDPH, specifically highlighted Dr. Wooten’s ability to break barriers and serve as a role model for aspiring Black American girls interested in careers in medicine and science.
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