The State Board of Health Welcomes Newest Member Elisabeth L. Crawford
Governor Inslee Appoints Mukilteo City Councilmember to Represent Washington Cities
Tumwater, WA – February 26, 2021 – Governor Jay Inslee has appointed Elisabeth L. Crawford, a Snohomish County resident, member of the Snohomish County Board of Health, and Mukilteo City Councilmember, to the Washington State Board of Health. Crawford fills the position of an elected official who represents cities and is a member of a local board of health.
Member Crawford is an Occupational Health and Safety Specialist for a large manufacturing company in Snohomish County. She was an Environmental Health Specialist at the Snohomish Health District previously. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety from the University of Washington.
With a commitment to health equity, Member Crawford pursued public office because of the lack of diversity in local government. She strives to form data driven decisions and engage the community in local governance to enact equitable policies for residents of Mukilteo and throughout Snohomish County.
“The Board is dedicated to strengthening the public health system by promoting health equity through the work we do,” said Michelle Davis, executive director of the Board. “I believe Elisabeth’s dedication to developing equitable policies at the local level will help us advance and sustain efforts to protect and improve the health and well-being of all people in our state.”
To help promote health and racial equity in Washington, the Board declared racism as a public health crisis. The Board recognizes racism disproportionally impacts Black, Indigenous, and People of Color and that racism has prevented communities of color from thriving and achieving their optimal health for centuries. The Board is committed to listening to, learning from, and partnering with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color-led organizations to dismantle institutional racism and improve diversity, equity, and inclusion within our Board. Read the full statement on our website.
Additionally, Governor Inslee appointed Umair Shah, MD, MPH as the new Secretary of Health at the state Department of Health effective December 2020. Dr. Shah is a member of the Board representing the Department and attended the Board’s January 2021 meeting. More information about Dr. Shah is available on the Department of Health website. Member Crawford’s full biography is available on our website.
Member Crawford is expected to join the next Board meeting held online on March 10. A draft agenda for the March meeting will be disseminated Feb. 24. Subscribe to our email distribution list, visit our website, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter to get the latest news and information about Board meetings and rulemaking projects.
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Established by the state constitution in 1889, the State Board of Health has served the people of Washington for 131 years, providing leadership and advancing public health practices that protect and improve the public’s health. Our work focuses on analyzing policies, developing rules, promoting partnerships, and encouraging public engagement in the public health system.
Media contact information
Kelie Kahler
Communication Manager
Washington State Board of Health
kelie.kahler@sboh.wa.ov
(360) 236-4102
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