Dr. Wilma J. Wooten, County Public Health Officer of San Diego, has been recognized with the prestigious Beverlee A. Myers Award for Excellence in Public Health by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). This award is given annually to individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership and dedication to all aspects of public health.
At the award ceremony held in Sacramento, CDPH leadership praised Dr. Wooten’s leadership during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic and commended her 23 years of service to the County. Susan Fanelli, Chief Deputy Director at CDPH, described Dr. Wooten as a role model for aspiring young people, especially Black American girls interested in pursuing careers in medicine and science.
Dr. Wooten shared her journey from rural Alabama to becoming a public health leader during her acceptance speech for the award. She was the first person in her family to attend college and graduated from Spelman College with a degree in biology. She furthered her education by obtaining a Master of Public Health from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and completing her doctorate at the university’s school of medicine.
During her speech, Dr. Wooten emphasized the importance of teamwork and collaboration among public health professionals and reiterated the significance of following the American Public Health Association’s “10 Essential Public Health Services.” Her dedication to public health, leadership qualities, and commitment to serving her community have made her a deserving recipient of this prestigious award.
The Beverlee A. Myers award was established in 1993 to honor the late Beverlee A. Myers, who had an illustrious 25-year career with CDPH.
In conclusion, Dr. Wilma J. Wooten’s exceptional work during the COVID-19 pandemic and her 23 years of service to San Diego County have earned her recognition as a leader in public health with this prestigious award from CDPH.
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