Sacramento County honors departing health officer Dr. Olivia Kasirye for pandemic leadership

The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors on May 19 honored Dr. Olivia Kasirye with a retirement resolution recognizing more than a decade of public-health leadership and her role as the county’s public face during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Thank you, Chair Rodriguez, and members of the Board for this honor,” Dr. Kasirye said, noting her last day will be June 26 and that the incoming health officer will start June 1. She thanked staff, mentors and community partners for their work on vaccination, testing and outbreak response.

Tim Watts, director of county health services, highlighted Dr. Kasirye’s career trajectory from volunteer to county health officer and said her leadership during the pandemic “thrust her into the spotlight” and helped the county navigate shifting state and federal guidance. Multiple supervisors credited her calm communication and frequent community briefings for reducing public anxiety during the crisis.

Board members recounted examples of Dr. Kasirye’s local work beyond COVID-19, including infant mortality initiatives and engagement with schools and businesses. “You have literally saved more lives in Sacramento County than any other individual in the 175 years we’ve been in existence,” one supervisor said.

The board’s resolution and the public remarks framed Dr. Kasirye’s tenure as characterized by an emphasis on health equity and collaboration with regional partners. The county will have a brief overlap between Dr. Kasirye and the incoming health officer intended to allow an orderly handover of duties.

The retirement recognition concluded with applause and a photo; no formal action beyond adoption of the resolution was required.