Nov. 29, 2023. Reno/Sparks, NV – Kevin Dick, District Health Officer for Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH), has announced his plans to retire March 31, 2024, capping an almost 40-year career in public health and 11 years leading NNPH, formerly Washoe County Health District.

Most notably helping to lead the region through the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dick will remain in his position through March 31 and then assist in the leadership transition after holding the role as District Health Officer since 2013.

“Becoming the District Health Officer in Washoe County was never my expectation, but it certainly has been an honor and extremely fulfilling,” Dick said. “I want to thank District Board of Health Chair and Sparks City Councilmember Kristopher Dahir, former Chair John Novak, all the Board of Health members I have served under, the staff at NNPH and our community partners for all they’ve done to represent this organization the best way possible.”

Dick led the organization to national accreditation from the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) in 2019, a program considered the national standard for public health in the United States. Under his leadership, the district saw tremendous successes, including:

• Established a health equity program to increase health outcomes, no matter who you are or where you live.
• Recognized as 2022 Administrator of the Year – Human Services Network
• Helped lead the COVID-19 response for nearly 3 years
  • More than 220,000 vaccines administered, 100,000 cases investigated, 100,000 tests administered, nearly 1,500 homebound tests administered
• Acquired funding for a new $10 million tuberculosis clinic
• Honored with the 2021 – W. Clark Santini Cup – Community Service award through Effective Communication
• Presented the Nevada Health Association’s 2020 Public Health Hero Award
• 2019 Samuel J. Crumbine Consumer Protection Award for Excellence in Food Protection
• Recognized by the National Association of County and City Health Officials and the federal Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response with the 2019 award for Building Regional Disaster Health Response Capabilities
• Obtained $2.4 million in additional state public health funding from the State of Nevada for next fiscal year via the 2023 Nevada Legislature
• Oversaw a rebrand of the Washoe County Health District into Northern Nevada Public Health
• Developed and implemented strategic plans, performance management metrics, and community dashboards that ensure that Washoe County residents have access to foundational public health services and the information they need to protect and improve their health
• Strengthened community partnership and engagement through community health improvement plans
• Hired and supported a strong team of directors and leaders that will continue to guide and protect the community through this transition and beyond

“We owe Kevin Dick a great deal of gratitude for the work he has done for our community, not just through the pandemic, but long before and after,” said DBOH Chair Kristopher Dahir. “We will all miss him, but we are excited for what this next chapter holds for NNPH.”

The District Board of Health (DBOH), the governing body of NNPH, will bring in an independent firm to conduct a national search to hire the next District Health Officer. The person stepping into the role will oversee an organization that has continued to grow and flourish during times of government contraction, and one that has revived trust within the Northern Nevada community.

Please note the Washoe County Health District changed its name to Northern Nevada Public Health on Aug. 31, 2023. More information is here.

Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH) is nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board and has jurisdiction over all public health matters in Reno, Sparks, and Washoe County through the policy-making District Board of Health. NNPH consists of five divisions: Administrative Health Services, Air Quality Management, Community and Clinical Health Services, Environmental Health Services and Epidemiology & Public Health Preparedness. More info can be found here.