A new Whatcom County health director has been appointed to fill the position following a nationwide search.
Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu appointed Champ Thomaskutty as director of Whatcom County Health and Community Services, according to an August 21 announcement from Whatcom County. Thomaskutty currently serves as a deputy health officer in Maryland.
Whatcom County Council is expected to vote on Sidhu’s appointment during its Tuesday, September 9 meeting. If appointed, Thomaskutty would start the position at the end of October.
“I am excited to come to Whatcom County and continue my lifelong mission of improving health outcomes for all,” Thomaskutty wrote in a statement. “I very much look forward to getting to know the department team, community partners and local health leaders. This team has done so much great work, and we have a wonderful opportunity to continue building on those successes.”
Thomaskutty oversees 275 staff with a $25 million operating budget as deputy health officer for the Calvert County Health Department in Prince Fredrick, Maryland. In this role, he serves as chief operations officer and agency administrator.
He’s previously worked as director of data and community engagement for St. Mary’s County Department of Health and director of chronic disease epidemiology for the Indiana State Department of Health. He earned his master’s degree in public health from the Indiana University School of Medicine.
Whatcom County Health and Community Services has over 150 employees who assist with the county’s food safety, monitoring communicable diseases and behavioral health, among other areas of health.
