The Metropolitan King County Council today unanimously voted to confirm the appointment of Dr. David Fleming, director of Global Health Strategies for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, as the new Director and Health Officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County.

"It's a privilege to lead such a great organization at a time of enormous challenges and opportunities for improving the quality of life for all our residents," said Dr. Fleming. His appointment could become final when the Seattle City Council meets on Monday, Feb. 26, to take its own vote on confirmation.

“Dr. Fleming’s thoughtful and reasoned responses to our questions at our confirmation hearings before the Board of Health showed him to be an exceptionally well-qualified candidate who will ably serve our health department and the residents of King County,” said Councilmember Julia Patterson, chair of the King County Board of Health. “Both his medical and public health background, and his longstanding relationships with government, local, and international stakeholders, make him uniquely qualified to lead our public health department in an era where global threats are synonymous with the challenges we face here in King County.”

“Last week’s hearing made it extra clear to all of us that Dr. Fleming is the right choice for the job,” said Councilmember Kathy Lambert, chair of the County Council’s Law, Justice and Human Services Committee. “He brings many assets from his work on state, national and international health issues. That, combined with his can-do attitude, makes him the ideal candidate to lead Public Health with vision, insight, and a broad perspective on how to most effectively promote the health of King County residents.”

“I am particularly impressed with his eagerness to speak directly with citizens on all matters regarding public health,” said Councilmember Bob Ferguson, who serves on the Board of Health. “Protecting public health is one of our highest priorities. I invite all people with questions about King County Public Health to attend our Town Hall in May and meet Dr. Fleming.”

Ferguson is hosting a special Public Health Town Hall meeting featuring Dr. Fleming on Thursday, May 3rd, 7:00 pm, at Meridian Park Elementary School, 17077 Meridian Ave. North in Shoreline.

"Dr. Fleming brings the vision and the experience to keep King County in the top tier of public health systems," said Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer, who serves on the Board of Health. "I look forward to working with him in particular on keeping us well prepared for any public health emergency or pandemic."

“I was impressed to hear Dr. Fleming say he would set a goal of making this the most excellent public health system in the country,” said Council Chair Larry Gossett. “Under his leadership, working in cooperation with the Council, Executive, and stakeholders, I believe he will get us there.”

“Dr. Fleming brings stellar qualifications and experience to the Seattle-King County Department of Public Health,” said Councilmember Larry Phillips, co-sponsor of Dr. Fleming’s confirmation. “Especially impressive is his work serving vulnerable populations on a global scale—the compassion and knowledge gained from these experiences will undoubtedly benefit the citizens of King County.”

“Dr. Fleming will lead Seattle-King County Public Health into a new era of service and effectiveness,” said Councilmember Jane Hague.

Dr. Fleming’s confirmation was recommended last Thursday at a joint meeting of the King County Board of Health at which the King County Council’s Law, Justice and Human Services Committee and the Seattle City Council’s Housing, Human Services and Health Committee each recommended Fleming’s appointment.

Dr. Fleming is currently director of Global Health Strategies for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, where he has been responsible for the creation, development and oversight of programs targeting diseases and conditions that disproportionately impact the world’s poorest countries.

Prior to that, Fleming served as Deputy Director of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), overseeing the CDC’s offices of Minority Health, Global Health, and Women’s Health. He has served as State Epidemiologist for the Oregon Health Division, and is a Clinical Associate Professor in Epidemiology at the University of Washington School of Public Health.