Solano County Public Health Officer Selected as AMA Outstanding Career Public Servant

Solano County Public Health Officer Selected as AMA Outstanding Career Public Servant 1/28/2008

Dr. Ronald Chapman, Solano County Public Health Officer, is being recognized by the American Medical Association for his leadership role in moving a series of initiatives that are improving the health and well-being of county residents.

Dr. Chapman will receive the Dr. Nathan Davis Award in the category of Outstanding Career Public Servant at the Local Level at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. in April.

“It was an honor for me to tell the AMA about the incredible work that Dr. Chapman has been doing in Solano County – from getting us prepared to deal with bird flu to helping pregnant women with substance abuse issues,” said Fairfield Mayor Harry Price, who nominated Dr. Chapman for the award. “I am glad we were able to demonstrate how his leadership, his ability to communicate complex issues, and his passion is making a difference in the health of our community.”

Dr. Chapman credits the national recognition to the entire Public Health division. “The public health team is what makes me look good. They are an incredibly hard working, dedicated, and innovative group of individuals who have made the conscious decision to dedicate their careers to serving the most needy people in our communities. I am proud and honored to a part of such a great group of people,” Dr. Chapman said.

Since coming to Solano County in 2004, Dr. Chapman has initiated or supported several projects that benefit the entire community as well as the more than 30,000 annual patient visits at the two County clinics.

• Created the County’s first five-year public health strategic plan and instituted one of the first Continuous Quality Improvement projects in public health in the United States. These projects have led to improvements in the care of people with diabetes, HIV and tuberculosis.

• Supported the BabyFirst Solano program that screens for substance abuse in pregnant woman, which also won a California State Association of California Challenge Award and a National Association of County and City Health Officials Best Practice Award.

• Published one of the first health disparities reports in California, Health Disparity in Solano County 2004 which resulted in a comprehensive strategic plan to address disparities in the health status in the African-American community.

• Partnered with the faith-based community to organize a conference focused on educating men to be better fathers and husbands, which resulting in the group HEROES being formed that is committed to regaining their “hero” status in the family and combating unhealthy, outside influences on their children.

• Represented all California health officers on the Executive Advisory Committee for the California Healthcare Surge Capacity Project which developed a seven-volume guide for physicians, hospitals and local public health to prepare for and respond to large catastrophic events, such as the pandemic influenza.

• Inserted a voice for public health in community planning, including public health staff being a member of the Solano Transportation Authority’s Safe Routes to School Steering Committee and hosting a Public Health and Community Design: Building New Partnerships symposium.

• Instrumental in the County’s efforts to address obesity as a community health issue, including an Obesity Prevention Summit that led to reducing rates of obesity becoming a significant measure in the County’s strategic goal of improving the health and well-being of the people who live and work here.

“Dr. Chapman’s knowledge, leadership and dedication are key components all of the initiatives we are doing to raise the standard of health in this community,” said Supervisor John Vasquez. “This County is privileged to have professionals of his caliber doing the work we are charged to do for our residents.”