Jani Hitchen & Joe Bushnell Lead Tacoma-Pierce Health Board

TL/DR –

Jani Hitchen has been elected as the new Chair of the Tacoma-Pierce County Board of Health, succeeding Catherine Ushka who passed away last month. Hitchen, who joined the Board in 2021, is a dedicated public health advocate and Pierce County Councilmember. Joe Bushnell, a Tacoma City Councilmember, will serve as Vice Chair, replacing Hitchen.

Leadership Changes in Tacoma-Pierce County Board of Health

Jani Hitchen was voted in as the new Chair of the Tacoma-Pierce County Board of Health on June 5, succeeding the late Catherine Ushka, with Joe Bushnell serving as Vice Chair. Ushka, who passed away last month, was a noteworthy public health advocate and Board Chair from 2019-2020 and again in 2023.

Members and Chantell Harmon Reed, Director of Public Health, expressed their respect for Ushka’s impactful work, emphasizing her commitment to health equity and racial justice. Highlighting Ushka’s influence, Reed encouraged everyone to carry her legacy forward.

After a recess, Marty Campbell introduced a motion to vote for a new Chair and nominated Hitchen and Bushnell for Vice Chair. Both nominees were unanimously approved. Hitchen, a Pierce County Councilmember, joined the Board in 2021 and was elected Vice Chair in 2023.

Hitchen praised Ushka’s leadership and pledged to continue her work, addressing issues like the COVID recovery and opioid epidemic. Bushnell, a Tacoma City Councilmember, will replace Hitchen as Vice Chair, echoing her commitment to building healthy communities.

The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department is an independent government agency with a policy-making body, The Board of Health, that meets twice a month. Board members serve two-year terms and are appointed by the Pierce County Council, Tacoma City Council, and other delegations.

The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department works to protect and improve health in Pierce County, and is one of roughly 394 accredited health departments in the country that meet or exceed the Public Health Accreditation Board’s quality standards.

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