Supervisors Appoint Interim Health Director

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors appointed Dr. Ori Tzvieli as interim director of health services while a search is conducted for a permanent chief executive officer and health director for Contra Costa Health.

The appointment ensures continuity in the county’s health services and continued progress on key health initiatives following the retirement in February of longtime CCH CEO and Health Director Anna Roth.

During her tenure, Roth oversaw the growth of a $3 billion integrated health system serving more than 1 million residents. Under her guidance, the county expanded its safety-net services, strengthened behavioral and physical health integration, and launched innovative programs to address homelessness, environmental health and emergency medical services.

"Anna has been a transformative leader for Contra Costa Health, and while we will deeply miss her visionary leadership, we are confident in and excited about Ori’s expertise and dedication to continue the County’s mission," said Candance Andersen, board chair and District 2 supervisor. "This transition marks an important moment for the County, and we are committed to supporting a seamless leadership change while continuing to prioritize the well-being of our residents."

Dr. Tzvieli will remain the county’s health officer while serving as interim CEO and health director for Contra Costa Health.

Tzvieli, who received his medical degree from the University of California, San Francisco, and a master of health science from the University of California at Berkeley School of Public Health, joined CCH as a family medicine resident at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center in 2000. He soon launched a career in the county's healthcare delivery system led to several leadership roles, including medical staff president, ambulatory care medical director and, most recently, public health director and health officer for the county.

During his time with CCH, Tzvieli has championed collaborative efforts to address opioid addiction, helped lead the county’s emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic, oversaw testing, vaccination, case investigation and contact tracing, laboratory functions, nursing and clinical services, communicable disease surveillance and prevention programs, and an array of work to improve community wellness, from senior nutrition programs to services supporting family, maternal and child health.

The Board of Supervisors plans to conduct an open recruitment process soon to permanently fill the position.