09 Feb Contra Costa County Promotes New Health Officer

Dr. Ori Tzvieli, seen during an Oct. 20, 2021, press briefing, has been promoted to the role of health officer for Contra Costa County. (Screenshot captured by Danielle Parenteau-Decker / The CC Pulse)

By Michael J. Fitzgerald

The Contra Costa Board of Supervisors this week appointed Dr. Ori Tzvieli as the county’s new health officer.

Tzvieli has helped lead the county’s COVID-19 pandemic response efforts as a deputy health officer for the past two years.

He replaces Dr. Chris Farnitano, who will retire in March after more than 30 years with county health.

“Dr. Farnitano will be missed. We are glad Dr. Tzvieli is ready to step into a role that is so crucial for the health and safety of our county residents during the pandemic,” said Board of Supervisors Chair Karen Mitchoff. “Over the past two years, both of them have contributed to one of the finest local responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in California.”

Each California county has a health officer who is given broad authority under the state health and safety code. They are responsible for protecting the health of residents within their jurisdictions, county officials said.

“Dr. Tzvieli has helped to lead our county’s emergency response since the beginning. We are fortunate to have someone with his experience and community knowledge ready to step up,” Contra Costa Health Director Anna Roth said. “I am very confident that he will help to continue our strong efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19 in Contra Costa County.”

Tzvieli joined Contra Costa Health as a family medicine resident at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center in 2000. He has worked in several county health leadership roles, including medical staff president, ambulatory care medical director, public health medical director and now director of public health, serving under Roth.

During his time with CCH, Tzvieli has championed collaborative efforts to address opioid addiction and cared for some of the county’s most vulnerable residents as medical director of the Health Care for the Homeless program.

Farnitano became Contra Costa County health officer in July 2018, after previously serving as ambulatory care medical director at CCRMC and family medicine department chair, among other roles.