King County, WA — Today, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay and Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson appointed Dr. Sandra Valenciano to serve as the Director of Public Health  – Seattle and King County. Dr. Valenciano currently serves as Acting Director for the department. 

Pending confirmation by both the Metropolitan King County Council and Seattle City Council, Dr. Valenciano will advance the department’s work to protect and promote the health and well-being of more than two million residents. The department works across a wide range of areas focusing on preventing illness and injury, responding to emerging health threats, and addressing the root causes of health disparities so that all communities have the opportunity to thrive.  

“Dr. Valenciano is a well-known public health expert with an extensive medical and community health-oriented background and a deeply rooted commitment to improving the health and lives of the communities we serve,” said Executive Zahilay. “I’m proud to appoint her to lead the department as we continue our work in the public health arena within the region.” 

“Dr. Valenciano brings the kind of leadership our region needs right now,” said Mayor Wilson. “Her work is grounded in science and community, and the need to address the root causes of health issues impacting our region. I’m grateful for Dr. Valenciano’s leadership at Public Health – Seattle & King County and know she will continue to ensure we are investing in prevention, addressing inequities, and building a public health system that works for everyone.”  

As a board-certified physician (MD) in internal medicine with a Master’s in Public Health, Dr. Valenciano has more than a decade of experience working in both local and national settings. Dr. Valenciano was appointed Seattle and King County’s Health Officer in 2025 where she joined the department as the primary medical expert tasked with providing leadership on scientific and medical matters that shape department policy and practice and fostering strong relationships with the broader healthcare community.  

“I'm deeply honored for the trust the Executive and Mayor have put in me to protect, support, and improve health for everyone in King County,” said Dr. Valenciano. “I cherish the opportunity to serve our remarkable community at this pivotal time and I'm inspired by public health staff and community partners who advance these values every day.”  

Prior to joining the County, Dr. Valenciano was the District Health Director and CEO for DeKalb Public Health in metro Atlanta, Georgia. In that role, she managed public health services for over 780,000 residents in a diverse community where over 130 languages are spoken.  

Prior to managing public health for DeKalb County, Dr. Valenciano served as an Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) officer at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) where she led domestic outbreak responses, evaluated national infectious disease surveillance systems, analyzed global immunization data, and collaborated with both domestic and international partners. 

Dr. Valenciano received her bachelor’s degree in Community Health from Brown University, her Master of Public Health degree from Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, and her Doctor of Medicine from Boston University School of Medicine. A board-certified physician in Internal Medicine, she completed her medical training in the Yale Primary Care Internal Medicine Residency Program and completed the Emory Preventive Medicine Residency Program and is board eligible in Preventive Medicine.  

Dr. Valenciano’s appointment as Public Health Director is subject to confirmation by the Metropolitan King County Council and the Seattle City Council. If confirmed as Director, Dr. Valenciano will also continue to serve as the department's Health Officer.