Dr. Kathleen Wilder has become North Central Public Health District's (NCPHD) Public Health Officer, replacing Dr. Christopher Van Tilburg, who has served as the Health Officer of Hood River County Health Department (HRCHD) since 2018 and both HRCHD and NCPHD since May 2023. Van Tilburg remains in the Hood River County position, where he will continue regional work with Wilder and NCPHD.
Wilder has been Deputy Health Officer at NCPHD since last summer and will take the lead as of September 1, 2024.
"I've always approached clinical medicine through a public health lens, especially since I earned a Master's in the area of Public Health before going to medical school," Wilder said. "It's been exciting to come full circle and work directly with the health department in my community," she added.
Shellie Campbell, Director of NCPHD, congratulated Van Tilburg and Wilder for their joint success.
"Dr. Van Tilburg has successfully used his role in Hood River and NCPHD to provide better public health care to our communities and we thank him for his efforts. I'm happy with the work Dr. Van Tilburg and Dr. Wilder have done together and I'm confident they will continue improving the region's public health care together going forward," Campbell said. "Since they've worked together, they can support each other more effectively, which will continue to benefit the people we serve," she added.
Wilder said, "As an OBGYN, I am very comfortable with the clinical pieces of what NCPHD does, but I've learned we do so much more, such as environmental health safety and emergency planning. I've enjoyed learning about these other aspects of the great work NCPHD is doing and look forward to continuing to support the health district and the people we serve."
While she has traveled abroad many times for work and recreation, she said, "One of the best things about living in The Dalles is the beauty and numerous activities right out our doorstep. I love the Gorge and helping everyone here live safe and healthy lives."
In Oregon, the Health Officer role is a mandated position that employs medical doctors to provide consultation and leadership in setting policies and programs for local health departments.
For more information, please contact North Central Public Health District at (541) 506-2600, visit http://www.ncphd.org or find NCPHD on Facebook.
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