Dr. Michael Stacey named Sonoma County interim health officer

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today appointed Dr. Michael Stacey as Sonoma County’s interim health officer, replacing Dr. Karen Smith, who has held this role since last October. His appointment becomes effective Nov. 1 and will extend through Oct. 31, 2026 unless the County successfully recruits a permanent health officer prior to that date.

A physician specializing in family medicine and public health, with a master’s degree in public health from the University of California at Berkeley, Dr. Stacey served as the chief medical officer at LifeLong Medical Care in Berkeley until August of this year. Before that, he served as the deputy health officer, deputy director of health and social services and medical services director for Solano County, where he oversaw federally qualified health centers and public health programs. He has also served as co-chair of the Bay Area Regional Health Inequities Initiative and has extensive experience advancing health equity and implementing care models for underserved populations. Earlier in his career, Dr. Stacey served in the United States Air Force and practiced medicine internationally.

“We are delighted that Dr. Michael Stacey is coming on board as Sonoma County’s interim health officer,” said Nolan Sullivan, director of the Department of Health Services. “He possesses a wide range of medical experience that is relevant to our county and will serve our residents well.”

The Health Officer serves as the chief medical officer and top health policy official for the county. Duties include providing medical expertise in response to emerging threats and issues, directing the clinical aspects of emergency response and providing medical consultative advice to clinicians. Additionally, the health officer assumes responsibility for critical departmental functions that include the issuance of birth and death records, health and safety inspections of food facilities, and the oversight of medical practices and support of Department efforts to improve community health.

Dr. Stacey completed his medical training at Temple University in Philadelphia and completed a family medicine residency program with the US Air Force at David Grant Medical Center in Fairfield. The Board’s agreement with him as interim health officer is not to exceed $348,298 through Oct. 31, 2026.

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Media Contact:
Sheri Cardo, DHS Communications Specialist
Sheri.Cardo@sonoma-county.org
(707) 565-8619