Kathy Hedin has been appointed Director of Saint Paul - Ramsey County Public Health. She has served as the department's interim director and a member of the county's senior management team since June 2019.

“Kathy’s extensive and broad experience with the department, her knowledge of health issues facing our community, and experience collaborating and leading innovative projects and teams inside and outside Public Health make her the right choice to lead this key department at this time,” said County Manager Ryan O'Connor.

Saint Paul - Ramsey County Public Health's 330 employees provide a range of services that protect and improve the health of people and the environment in Ramsey County. Department staff work with community partners to prevent the spread of disease, protect against environmental hazards, prevent injuries, promote and encourage healthy behaviors, plan and respond to health emergencies, and ensure the quality and accessibility of health services.

“I’m excited and honored to accept this appointment,” said Hedin. “We have an amazing Public Health staff and network of community partners that I look forward to continuing working with to protect and promote the health of our communities.”

An 18-year veteran of the department, Hedin began as a health educator working in the areas of recycling, solid waste and household hazardous waste in Public Health’s Environmental Health Division. She later moved into work focusing on violence prevention, adolescent health, chronic disease prevention and health equity. In 2016, Hedin was promoted to manager of Public Health’s Healthy Communities Division.  

Hedin has a bachelor’s degree in community health -- health science from Minnesota State University, Mankato, and earned a master’s degree in human services -- social and community work, from Capella University. She and her family live in Saint Paul.

One of the largest local public health departments in the state, Saint Paul - Ramsey County Public Health traces its origins to the appointment of the first public health officer by the City of Saint Paul in 1854. Saint Paul and Ramsey County’s public health departments merged in 1997 through a joint powers agreement. The department is nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board.

Contact:
John Siqveland, Communications Director, 651-746-9250.