MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. — Dr. Kisha Davis has been nominated as Montgomery County's new Health Officer. County Executive Marc Elrich is expected to introduce Dr. Davis as the county's nominee during a weekly briefing on Wednesday.
“Montgomery County has led the nation in our response to the COVID-19 pandemic thanks in large part to the leadership at our Department of Health and Human Services,” Elrich said in a press statement. “With the nomination of Dr. Kisha Davis as our County’s next health officer, we have found a health expert and leader committed to innovation, equity, and access to healthcare. I want to thank Dr. Davis for accepting this position and I look forward to working with her, listening to her advice and following her guidance regarding the health issues and challenges facing Montgomery County.”
Dr. Davis most recently served as the vice president for health equity at Bethesda-based Aledale, an organization that works with independent medical practices, health centers and clinics to support the delivery of high-quality, equitable patient care. She served as a project manager on the Family Medicine for America’s Health project focusing on payment reform, practice transformation, technology and health equity. Previously she served as the medical director for CHI Healthcare, a primary care center in Gaithersburg.
In a media briefing Wednesday, Davis said she was excited to work in the county where she was "born and bred."
When asked about the rise in RSV cases and if the county would consider bringing back masking, Davis said that it is too early to tell.
"We have learned a lot in terms of when to use masks and when not to and what the best use of them is and I think that's a bridge to cross when we get there," Davis explained.
When pressed, Davis refused to say whether she would implement masking again, repeating that the decision will be a "bridge we will have to cross when we get there."
Raymond Crowel, director of the County’s Department of Health and Human Services welcomes Davis.
“Her experience in clinical care and population health is an important combination as we continue our work to address health disparities in our community,” he said.
Crowel explained in the media briefing that the county looked at a total of 15 or 16 candidates before selecting Davis.
As health officer, Davis will be responsible for continuing the County’s efforts on disease control and prevention, eliminating health inequities, promoting county-wide inclusion of health in all policies and working with the Maryland Department of Health coordinating disease control and the development and implementation of State health policies.
Dr. James Bridgers, currently the County’s acting chief of Public Health Services and County health officer, will be responsible for ongoing service implementation, operations, fiscal oversight and the administration of public health programs.
The County Council is scheduled to vote on Dr. Davis's nomination on Tuesday, Nov. 15.
