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Thursday, Mar 28, 2024
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County Health Director Announces Resignation



Health Care: Will Become President of the

California Endowment

Dr. Robert K. Ross, director of the county’s Health and Human Services Agency, announced his resignation last week.

Ross, 45, said he’ll be moving into the private sector and become president of the California Endowment in Woodland Hills, a charitable foundation that expands affordable access to health care for the uninsured.

In his role as director of the county’s largest agency, Ross has been in charge of 6,000 employees and a $1 billion annual budget.

During his seven years with the county, Ross helped combine several departments under the umbrella of the Health and Human Services Agency and confronted issues of childhood immunization, prenatal care, substance abuse, AIDS and violence prevention.

Stephanie Casenza, a spokeswoman for the Alliance Healthcare Foundation in San Diego, said Ross’ commitment to the uninsured was exemplary.

“We have given them (the county) grants for many projects,” Casenza said. “Our biggest concern is who will fill his shoes?”

Walt Ekard, county chief administrative officer, acknowledged Ross’ many achievements in a written statement, saying, “There is only one Bob Ross.”

Ekard asked Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Helen Robbins-Myer to find an interim director and launch a nationwide search for a permanent health director.

The county does not want to rule out any options at this point, said Ekard referring to the national search.

Ross, a nationally recognized health expert, was born in New York City in 1955. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1976 with a bachelor’s degree in biology.

In 1980, Ross received his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

After specializing in pediatrics, Ross pursued a master’s degree in government administration. He graduated in 1990.

Among his greatest achievements are the creation of the Philadelphia Injury Prevention Program during his time as commissioner at the Philadelphia Department of Public Health during the early 1990s.

Ross was instrumental in developing the “Infant Immunization Initiative” and received a U.S. Department of Health and Human Service Regional Community Partnership Award in 1992 for his efforts.

Ross will leave for Woodland Hills on July 14.

In his new role, Ross will be in charge of a charitable foundation with nearly $3 billion in assets.

Casenza said Alliance in San Diego, which funded projects at the California Endowment in the past, is looking forward to working with Ross in his new role.

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