Governor Newsom Appoints Dr. Sonia Angell as New CDPH Director

Today, Governor Gavin Newsom announced his appointment of Sonia Angell, MD, MPH as the Director of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).

Dr. Angell is currently a practicing physician at New York Presbyterian Hospital and Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at Columbia University in New York City. Her previous roles included serving as the Deputy Commissioner of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene where she oversaw the Division of Prevention and Primary Care, as well as serving as the founding director of the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Cardiovascular Disease Prevention and Control Program. Additionally, Dr. Angell was a Senior Advisor for Global Noncommunicable Diseases at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). She has also been an independent consultant to the Pan American Health Organization.

Dr. Angell served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Nepal and is a graduate of the Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program. She received her medical degree from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and completed her residency at the Brigham Women’s Hospital in Boston. Additionally, she received a diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene from the London School, as well as a Master’s in Public Health from the University of Michigan.

Recall, the former CDPH Director and State Health Officer, Dr. Karen Smith, departed her role in early July 2019. In the interim, Susan Fanelli, Chief Deputy Director of Policy and Programs, served as Acting CDPH Director while Dr. Charity Dean served as Interim State Health Officer. Governor Newsom’s appointment announcement is available here.

CHEAC looks forward to engaging with Dr. Sonia Angell in our work to improve the health of all Californians.