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Thurston County has hired a new health officer to serve in the county’s Public Health & Social Services Department (PHSS).
Dr. Barbra Villona will serve as the county’s lead medical authority on communicable disease response, health advisories and key public health policy decisions, the county announced Thursday.
The announcement comes after a year-long, highly competitive recruitment process, the county stated in a news release.
Villona has certifications as a doctor of medicine (MD) and master of public health and tropical medicine (MPH&TM), has a diploma in tropical medicine and hygiene (DTM&H) and is a fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians (FEAP).
She has officially begun her role, bringing decades of medical, public health and global health experience to the community, the county stated in the news release.
“On behalf of the entire Thurston County leadership team, I am pleased to welcome Dr. Villona as our new Public Health Officer,” Thurston County Manager Leonard Hernandez said. “She brings a rare and valuable set of skills to our already exceptional Public Health team, and I know that together, they will elevate our efforts to ensure every resident has access to the information and care they need to thrive. We are fortunate to have such a dedicated and talented group.”
Prior to joining Thurston County, Villona served as a deputy public health officer for Josephine County, Oregon, where she provided the local health care community with information during the COVID-19 response.
With 30 years of experience as an emergency medicine physician, including recent practice in rural southern Oregon, Villona “brings a deep understanding of clinical medicine and community health,” the county stated.
Much of her career has also been spent overseas, delivering medical care in resource-limited settings.
Thurston County’s PHSS Director Dr. Jen Freiheit welcomed Dr. Villona to the team, stating that her extensive experience, leadership and passion for public health will be invaluable as the county continues to address both ongoing and emerging health challenges.
“We are thrilled to have Dr. Villona join our team,” Freiheit said. “After thorough vetting by the Thurston County Board of Health, and the County’s Human Resources Department, it was decided that Dr. Villona’s expertise would greatly benefit Thurston County. We look forward to sharing broader awareness of public health data and science to all corners of the county.”
Villona succeeds the county’s former health officer, Dr. Dimyana Abdelmalek.
