MITCHELL H. KATZ More photos >>

           Dr. Katz has an extensive background in the field of public healthcare and executive-level healthcare management. He has more than 19 years of experience with the City and County of San Francisco Department of Public Health, and has been serving as the director of public health/health officer since 1997. In this capacity, he is responsible for an operating budget of $1.5 billion and a large healthcare system that includes two hospitals, nine primary care health centers, the County's managed care mental health system, and 8,600 employees.

Among his accomplishments include designing and implementing “Healthy San Francisco,” a comprehensive health care coverage program serving more than 53,000 uninsured San Franciscans through a public-private partnership. The program won the National Association of Public Hospital Chair’s Award (highest award given, 2010) and American Hospital Association NOVA Award (2010).

Dr. Katz grew up in Brooklyn, graduated from Yale and Harvard Medical School. He did his residency at the University of California, San Francisco.

On January 3, 2011, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors appointed Dr. Mitchell H. Katz to head the Department of Health Services (DHS).

While Dr. Katz has experience in running a major urban public health care system, he also has the vision and passion to steer the L.A. County Department of Health Services to meet the challenges and opportunities posed by national health reform,” said Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky.

L.A. County is fortunate to have such an accomplished leader join our team,” said William T. Fujioka, County chief executive officer. “His proven experience in the public healthcare field brings vision and knowledge to our health system.”