As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, Yolo County now has an interim Health Officer following the retirement of Dr. Ron Chapman from that post at the end of June this year. Dr. Larissa May has been tapped to serve as the County's chief health officer while the recruitment process for a permanent replacement continues.
Dr. Mary Ann Limbos, who was acting Health Officer when Dr. Chapman retired, is expected to resume her role as Deputy Health Officer for the County. Dr. Limbos is also working as Medical Director for California Children's Services and has her own private pediatrician practice, so she is not able to continue serving as the acting Health Officer. Dr. Limbos and Dr. May are expected split the job evenly until a new Health Officer is hired.
"It is an honor to serve as Yolo County's Interim Health Officer in these unprecedented times and to share my expertise as a medical professional in the goal of public health of our local community," said May. "I look forward to working with Deputy Health Officer Limbos, the members of the public health staff and the Board of Supervisors in using best available evidence and guidance to improve the health and safety of all members of our community."
Dr. May is a professor of emergency medicine and a public health expert at UC Davis Health, according to a release from the County. She is also a board certified emergency physician. Her work has often focused on the epidemiology and management of infectious diseases, including best practices for diagnostic testing, outbreak response and infection prevention, the statement also read.