New director of Seattle - King County Public Health

Patty Hayes, Director
Seattle - King County Public Health

King County Executive Dow Constantine and Seattle Mayor Ed Murray appointed Patty Hayes - an award-winning, 25-year veteran in the health field - as the Director of Public Health - Seattle / King County. Before she was appointed as the interim director in August, Hayes led the department’s largest division, Community Health Services.

Hayes will appoint Dr. Jeff Duchin as the department’s Health Officer, effective immediately. Duchin has served as Interim Health Officer since January 2015, and is also Chief of the Communicable Disease Epidemiology and Immunization Section.

"Patty Hayes has the experience and expertise needed to build on the progress we've made to transform health and human services to focus on prevention, eliminate disparities, and deliver the best outcomes in our community," said Executive Constantine. "She and Dr. Jeff Duchin will provide the leadership our dedicated employees need to maintain our national reputation for excellence in protecting and promoting the health of our residents."