OLYMPIA — Today Governor Bob Ferguson appointed Dennis Worsham as Washington’s new Secretary of Health, effective July 7. Worsham, a lifelong Washingtonian, will lead the state Department of Health (DOH) 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.

“Dennis Worsham is well positioned to lead the Department of Health,” Governor Ferguson said. “His decades of experience and broad skillset will help chart a new vision for public health in Washington state.”

“As Washington’s Secretary of Health, I am honored to serve and deeply committed to upholding and strengthening a public health system that is not only resilient, but also more just,” Worsham said. “It is critical that we continue to build a system that earns the trust of communities and strives for every person to have equitable access to the care and resources they need to thrive. Public health is not just about addressing illness and injury — it’s about preventing them. It’s about preparing for the unexpected, addressing root causes of health inequities, and investing in systems that protect people before a crisis begins. We must ensure health and well-being is not a privilege but a shared foundation for all.”

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 (WSPHA), 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.