San Francisco Health Commission honors outgoing DPH Director Grant Colfax as Daniel Tsai begins tenure

The San Francisco Health Commission on March 3 approved a resolution honoring Dr. Grant Colfax for six years as San Francisco’s Director of Public Health and heard introductory remarks from incoming Director Daniel Tsai, who said it was his first day on the job and that he was “very, very excited to be here.”

The resolution acknowledged Colfax’s role leading the department through the COVID‑19 pandemic, the city’s MPox response and efforts on mental‑health and substance‑use services. Commissioners and DPH staff delivered extended remarks praising Colfax’s emphasis on data, treatment expansion and the recertification of Laguna Honda Hospital (LHH). At the same meeting, Director Tsai outlined priorities including improving access and ambulatory‑care scheduling.

Commissioners described Colfax’s tenure as transformative. Commissioner Christian said DPH under Colfax “has been as inventive and as nimble as they can be” in expanding street teams and treatment capacity. Commissioner Guillermo praised Colfax’s combination of “head and heart,” and Commissioner Chow noted improvements in data and operations under his leadership.

Deputy Director Navina Bhabha read the resolution and highlighted accomplishments cited in the text, including vaccination campaigns during MPox and COVID‑19, expansions in behavioral‑health and treatment‑bed capacity, implementation of a unified electronic medical record, and reductions in nurse vacancy rates.

Several public commenters used the meeting’s public‑comment period to praise Colfax and to raise criticisms. A remote commenter called for additional scrutiny of Laguna Honda Hospital leadership and cited staff licensing and hiring concerns; another public commenter said the department had not included required language in the mayoral appointment notice for Director Tsai and urged audits of patient share‑of‑cost revenue at LHH. Those public comments were heard but did not change the commission’s action.

After public comment and commissioner remarks, the commission voted to approve the resolution honoring Dr. Grant Colfax. Commissioners moved on to present Colfax with a plaque and gathered for a staff photo.

In his brief remarks, Dr. Colfax thanked the commission and DPH staff and emphasized that public‑health delivery depends on people across the department and community partners. Incoming Director Tsai said he planned a listening posture and flagged ambulatory‑care process improvements as a priority, noting pilot efforts to reduce long appointment wait times and to expand open‑access scheduling at some clinics.

The commission’s action was procedural (adopting the resolution) rather than a policy vote; no changes to departmental authority were made during the item. Directors and commissioners said they expect a transition period in which Tsai will consult with staff and community partners before presenting longer‑term plans.

Colfax’s departure and Tsai’s arrival close a six‑year chapter for DPH leadership and begin a transition the commission described as orderly. The resolution passed during the meeting; commissioners and staff said the department’s operational work will continue as the new director settles in.

Sources: public remarks at the March 3, 2025 San Francisco Health Commission meeting; Deputy Director Navina Bhabha’s remarks; outgoing Director Grant Colfax and incoming Director Daniel Tsai’s statements at the meeting.