DISCUSSION
Due to the retirement of the previous Shasta County Health Officer and pursuant to Shasta County Code section 2.28.070 as well as sections 101000, 101005, and 101010 of the California Health and Safety Code, it is necessary for the Board of Supervisors to appoint a Health Officer for Shasta County to complete mandated assignments and duties, which include signing birth and death certificates. The local health officer is responsible for preventing the spread of contagious, infectious, or communicable diseases, and order quarantine when necessary. They are required to monitor and address other contributing factors impacting population health outcomes. The county health officer shall enforce public health orders and ordinances of the board of supervisors, and other public health regulations and statues required by state and/or federal law.
The HHSA has recruited for the vacant position of Health Officer and entered into negotiations to make an offer of employment, contingent upon Board approval of the recommended employment agreement to appoint Dr. Ramstrom, D.O., M.P.H., to the position of Health Officer. Dr. Ramstom has served as the interim Health Officer since appointed extra-help by the Board of Supervisors on July 24, 2018. Dr. Ramstrom completed her undergraduate studies at University of California, Riverside, received a Doctor of Osteopathy from the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, and completed her Family Medicine Residency training at the Colorado Springs Osteopathic Foundation. She has a Master of Science in Public Health from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, where she also completed a Preventive Medicine Residency program. Additionally, she possesses nearly 20 years of experience in public health practice, including 12 years with the California Department of Public Health, most recently as a Public Health Medical Officer for the Center for Family Health. She has clinical experience in primary care and women’s health as a General Medical Officer in the U.S. Army and the El Paso County Department of Health and Environment in Colorado. Due to her excellent qualifications and vast experience in the practice and administration of public health services, it is recommended the Shasta County Board of Supervisors approve the agreement appointing Dr. Ramstrom as a Shasta County Health Officer effective October 14, 2018 and establish Dr. Ramstrom’s compensation at the E-Step salary range ($101.633 per hour/ $17,616 per month) for the position of Health Officer. The agreement also provides for reimbursement of up to $4,000 in moving costs as Dr. Ramstrom will need to relocate from Sacramento in order to accept the offer of employment and perform the required duties. |