2025-07: Chelan-Douglas Health District Announces Progress in Filling Board of Health Seats

Chelan-Douglas Health District Announces Progress in Filling Board of Health Seats

East Wenatchee, WA – The Chelan-Douglas Health District (CDHD) is advancing to the next phase in selecting new members for its 12-member Board of Health following the close of the application period on Monday, October 6, 2025.

The Board of Health Executive Team convened yesterday, October 8, to review applications and discuss next steps in the appointment process. Their work will focus on identifying the top two to three finalists for each open seat to participate in interviews later this month. Recommendations from these interviews will be submitted to the Chelan County and Douglas County Commissioners, who are responsible for making the final appointments for Seats 5, 6, 8, and 10.

The recruitment process drew strong community interest, with:

· A total of nine applications received for Seat 8 (Public Health/HealthCare Provider); one applicant was found ineligible because they reside outside of Washington State, resulting in eight qualified applicants for consideration.

· Six qualified applicants for Seat 10 (Community Stakeholder).

CDHD is also preparing recommendations for Seats 5 and 6 (City Representative positions) and continues to work with the State of Washington and regional tribal partners to fill Seat 12 (Tribal Representative) in partnership with the American Indian Health Commission.

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Roles and Qualifications

• Seat 8 – Public Health / Health Care Provider:
      This position is designated for individuals with experience in public health or clinical care, such as epidemiologists, environmental health professionals, hospital or clinic staff, behavioral health specialists, nurses, or public health administrators. Members in this seat are expected to bring evidence-based insight to policy decisions that protect the community’s health.
• Seat 10 – Community Stakeholder:
      This seat represents community-based organizations, nonprofit leaders, business or regulated industry representatives, or others who work closely with the public. Candidates for this position should demonstrate a strong record of community engagement, partnerships, and advocacy for populations served by CDHD.

Both seats play a critical role in fulfilling the state-mandated balance of elected officials and non-elected members on the Board of Health under RCW 70.46.020 and WAC 246-90. They ensure that the perspectives of health professionals and the broader community inform decisions about public health regulations, budgets, and priorities across Chelan and Douglas Counties.

“We’re encouraged by the level of interest we’ve seen in these key positions,” said Dr. Kristen Hosey, Health Administrator. “Seats 8 and 10 bring important perspectives to the table—one grounded in health and medical expertise, the other rooted in our broader community—so that our public health decisions reflect both scientific expertise and the voices of those we serve. We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mayor Jerrilea Crawford (Seat 5), Councilmember Sharon Waters (Seat 6), Dr. Bindu Nayak (Seat 8), and Bill Sullivan (Seat 10) for their dedicated service on the Board of Health. Their leadership and commitment have made a lasting impact on public health in Chelan and Douglas Counties, and we thank them for their years of service as they conclude their terms this December.”

New Board of Health members will serve three-year terms beginning January 2026. Members are responsible for adopting public health regulations and policies, approving budgets, ensuring compliance with state law, and serving as a bridge between CDHD and the communities they represent.

For more information about the Board of Health and its membership, please visit www.cdhd.wa.gov/boardofhealth.

For more public health updates, visit www.cdhd.wa.gov and follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram.

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