Alameda County appoints interim health officer to serve in permanent role

Dr. Nicholas Moss, who has served since July in an interim role, is the new health officer of Alameda County, supervisors agreed Tuesday.

Moss trained as an infectious disease medicine specialist and medical epidemiologist and is credited for overseeing the county’s response to the Covid-19 emergency.

County Health Care Services Agency Director Colleen Chawla, said in a news release:

“Dr. Moss brings extensive knowledge in communicable disease and nearly 10 years of experience in leadership roles. His appointment provides deep knowledge of, and ongoing continuity in, our response to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

He has been with the county since 2013 and has served as acting director of the Division of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention.

Moss received a degree from the University of California at Berkeley, and Doctor of Medicine from the University of California at Irvine. He trained in internal medicine, infectious diseases and public health at the University of Washington in Seattle.

Moss said in a statement:

“My number one priority is to protect and improve health by achieving equity through partnership, fostering safe and healthy communities, and promoting fair and inclusive opportunities for all residents.”