Aug. 3, 2020

Kitsap Public Health welcomes new health officer

Dr. Gib Morrow replaces retiring Kitsap health officer Dr. Susan Turner. 

KITSAP COUNTY, WA — The Kitsap Public Health District welcomed Dr. Gib Morrow as the new health officer for Kitsap County, effective Aug. 1. 

Dr. Morrow succeeds Dr. Susan Turner, who retired July 31 after serving six years as Kitsap health officer.

“On behalf of the Kitsap Public Health Board, I extend our deepest thanks to Dr. Turner for her service to the Health District and the entire Kitsap community," Kitsap Public Health Board Chair Rob Putaansuu said. “I am equally excited to welcome Dr. Morrow, who brings a tremendous level of experience and skill to the health officer position at this critical juncture. Our Health District is in good hands.”

Dr. Morrow most recently served as deputy health officer for Whatcom County Health Department, where he helped lead that county's COVID-19 response. He joined Kitsap Public Health on July 27 and worked alongside Dr. Turner during her final week with the Health District. 

“I am honored to serve Kitsap residents as health officer and I look forward to getting to know the community better,”  Dr. Morrow said. “We have a difficult and uncertain road ahead, but I believe that if we continue to act together, we can protect the health of our loved ones and get through this successfully.”

“We have a difficult and uncertain road ahead, but I believe that if we continue to act together, we can protect the health of our loved ones and get through this successfully.” Dr. Gib Morrow

Dr. Morrow is an experienced physician who has held leadership positions in public health and health care settings. 

He received his medical degree from the Duke University School of Medicine and completed an internal medicine residency and master's in public health at the University of Washington. He previously served as deputy health officer for Sonoma County, California, and medical director for Whatcom County Jail in Bellingham. He practiced medicine at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham for more than 20 years. 

The Kitsap Public Health Board launched a nationwide health officer recruitment in November. Final interviews were held in April and May. The Health Board approved Dr. Morrow’s contract on June 2. 

Tad Sooter | Public Information Officer
Kitsap Public Health District
360-728-2330 - office | (360) 728-2235 - main
pio@kitsappublichealth.org | kitsappublichealth.org