Standing on the Shoulders of Public Health Giants

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) awarded its highest honor, the Beverlee A. Myers Award for Excellence in Public Health, to Dr. Wilma Wooten, Public Health Officer for San Diego County. The award, presented in Sacramento during Public Service Recognition Week, is given annually for outstanding leadership and dedication to all aspects of public health.

Dr. Wooten joined San Diego County in 2001 and was named Public Health Officer in 2007. Over the course of her 25-year career, she also served as Director of the California Department of Health Services from 1978-1983. The Department of Health Services included all the responsibilities and services of public health until CDPH was named its own department in 2007.

In her remarks accepting the award, Dr. Wooten acknowledged that she stands on the shoulders of prior San Diego County Public Health Officers and Directors, including Dr. George Flores, who hired her, and Dr. Nancy Bowen, who Dr. Wooten replaced as Health Officer after she retired.

“I also stand on the shoulders of a competent, skilled, and diverse public health workforce in the Public Health Services department, of the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency,” said Dr. Wooten. “A sound workforce is essential to a strong and robust health department. When engaging staff, I repeatedly remind them that they are all leaders…regardless of which tier they happen to be on at this time in their careers as public health professionals.”

"The COVID adversity did not just build her character. It revealed her character," said Susan Fanelli, Chief Deputy Director at CDPH, during the award presentation. "Throughout her life, Dr. Wooten has broken barriers and has served as a role model for young people, especially Black American girls who wish to pursue a career in medicine and science."

Born in rural Alabama, Wooten was the first person in her family to attend college. She earned a biology degree from Spelman College in Atlanta. She completed both a Master of Public Health and a doctorate from University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. She completed her residency training at the Georgetown/Providence Hospital Family Practice Residency Program in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Wooten joins the ranks of incredible and accomplished past awardees, including:

• Carol McGruder, Co-Chairperson of the African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council (2023)

• Richard Pan, MD, practicing pediatrician, former California State Senator, 6th Senate district and Senate Committee on Health Chair (2019)

• Diana E. Ramos, MD, MPH, former Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and current Surgeon General of California (2013)

A full list is available at https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OPA/Pages/Beverlee-A-Myers-Award-Invitation.aspx.   

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