A lifelong Washingtonian raised in Eastern Washington, Dennis brings 32 years of distinguished service in Washington State's public health system to this critical role. His career began at the Snohomish Health District in the 1990s, where he discovered his passion for public health's mission and addressing systemic health inequities while working as health educator during the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Most recently, he served as the first Director of the Snohomish County Health Department since January 2023. Dennis also brings a deep commitment to working collaboratively with all parts of the public health system including our Tribal, state, local, community and healthcare partners.
His extensive background includes:
- Prior Executive Leadership Experience: Interim Director of Public Health – Seattle & King County, and Deputy Secretary for Health at the Washington State Department of Health (2014-2016)
- Diverse Public Health Expertise: From TB control and HIV/STD/Hepatitis programs to chronic disease and other policy development, community partnerships, and communications
- Deep Commitment to Partnerships: Active involvement with the Washington State Public Health Association, Public Health Roundtable, Washington State Association of Public Health Officials, and Foundational Public Health Services committee
- Lifelong Equity Champion: A commitment to lead public health policy and practice through an equity and community-centered lens. He helped create the very first leadership positions in various agencies to advance organizational equity and health justice
Secretary Worsham's unique perspective, shaped by firsthand experience in both rural communities and large urban systems, positions him as a leader who understands that public health affects all of us—regardless of where we live or who we are. His vision centers on the understanding that public health challenges don't recognize geographic boundaries, and neither should our solutions.
