Breaking Barriers: Dr. Wilma J. Wooten Receives Prestigious Beverlee A. Myers Award for Excellence in Public Health

Dr. Wilma J. Wooten, the County Public Health Officer, was recently honored with the prestigious Beverlee A. Myers Award for Excellence in Public Health by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). This award acknowledges outstanding leadership and dedication across all areas of public health. During an award ceremony held in Sacramento, Dr. Wooten’s 23-year service to the County and her exceptional leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic were highlighted.

Dr. Wooten has been serving the County of San Diego since 2001 and was appointed as the Public Health Officer in 2007. Her journey to becoming a public health leader began in rural Alabama, where she was the first person in her family to attend college. After graduating from Spelman College with a degree in biology, she pursued her Master of Public Health at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, where she also completed her doctorate at the school of medicine. In her acceptance speech for the award, Dr. Wooten expressed gratitude to her Public Health Services team and fellow health officers in the state for their support.

Dr. Wooten emphasized the importance of adhering to the American Public Health Association’s “10 Essential Public Health Services” and shared valuable lessons that have guided her throughout her career. She advised others to seek feedback from a variety of perspectives when implementing new ideas and not to dwell on things beyond their control. The Beverlee A. Meyers Award, established in 1993 in honor of Beverlee A. Myers, recognizes the outstanding contributions of public health professionals like Dr. Wooten who have demonstrated resilience and character during challenging times like COVID-19 pandemic, breaking barriers and serving as role models for aspiring Black American girls interested in careers in medicine and science while leading their communities towards better health outcomes.

Susan Fanelli, Chief Deputy Director at CDPH specifically highlighted Dr. Wooten’s ability to break barriers and serve as a role model for aspiring Black American girls interested in careers in medicine and science.

Dr. Wooten’s leadership has been recognized by many organizations including CDPH which is a testament to her hard work, dedication and commitment towards improving public health outcomes for everyone.