Governor Bob Ferguson has appointed Dennis Worsham as Washington’s new Secretary of Health, effective July 7th. Worsham, a lifelong Washingtonian, will lead the state Department of Health following 32 years of public health experience and leadership in both rural and urban public health systems.
Most recently, Worsham served as the first director of public health for the Snohomish County Health Department, after the Snohomish Health District integrated into county government in 2023.
Worsham grew up in Othello, Washington. He has held several leadership roles throughout his career at both local and state levels, including deputy secretary for health at DOH and interim director of public health for Seattle and King County. Worsham began his career in public health at the Snohomish Health District in the 1990s. There he worked as an HIV/STD/hepatitis program manager and health educator.
Worsham also has experience in policy development and advocacy. He has served roles on public health committees and commissions, including as a committee member with Leadership Tomorrow, president and vice president of the Washington State Public Health Association, chair and member of the Washington State Public Health Roundtable, and as a longtime member of the Washington State Foundational Public Health Services committee, among other appointments and task forces.
Worsham earned a bachelor’s degree in health services administration at Eastern Washington University.
