The announcement was made during the county’s Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday. Dr. Wada is currently the Director of the City of Pasadena’s Public Health Department.
“We are extremely pleased to find someone like Dr. Wada who can fulfill both roles as the chief medical officer and leader of our Public Health Department,” Supervisors Chair Joe Centeno said in a press release from the county.
“Dr. Wada is a welcome addition to our County and we look forward to having his expertise, especially as we continue to deal with issues like the H1N1 flu virus.”
Dr. Wada replaces Dr. Elliot Schulman, who resigned earlier this year.
“I’m honored to have been selected for this prestigious role and I look forward to working with everybody in Santa Barbara County,” Dr. Wada said in the release.
According to the release, Dr. Wada will begin his new duties for Santa Barbara County in March 2010. His annual salary is approximately $220,000.
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