Pima County's Deputy County Administrator and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Francisco Garcia has announced his departure from his post, slated for January 3, 2025, after a lengthy career spearheading crucial health initiatives and steering the county through some of its most challenging health crises. Garcia has been at the helm of an assortment of health and human services departments since his promotion in 2019, before, he served as County Health Department Director starting in 2013 and was raised to Assistant County Administrator in 2017, according to a Pima County news release.
Garcia, who holds both a medical degree from the University of Arizona earned in 1992 and a master's in public health from Johns Hopkins University obtained in 1998, has utilised his extensive expertise to confront not just the COVID-19 pandemic but also to advocate for health strategies benefiting the vulnerable segments of the community, including Hispanics and people of color. It's also worth noting his valuable involvement in the response to the inflow of asylum seekers and the orchestration of a widely-praised Ebola outbreak reaction in 2014. He's been a key figure in various national health boards and committees, a release read, including garnering acknowledgment from the illustrious National Academy of Medicine last year.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Garcia is particularly lauded for his foresight and decisive action, initiating preparation for the crisis a full three months before Pima County diagnosed its first case. His proactive approach led to Pima County outpacing the state in COVID-19 testing, mitigation, and vaccination efforts, the latter of which resulted in an impressive 800,000 vaccinations in a matter of months. County Administrator Jan Lesher praised him, saying, "There is no question that Dr. Garcia saved a lot of lives in 2020," and described him as one of the "kindest, most caring persons I’ve ever known," Pima County's newsroom reported.
Garcia's key achievements span multiple areas, including securing accreditation for the Health Department from the Public Health Accreditation Board, playing a pivotal role in negotiating Pima County's share of a large opioid settlement for addiction treatment and prevention, and developing and maintaining the county’s response to a growing number of asylum seekers. His efforts ensured that no asylum seeker was left without shelter, averting a potential crisis. Additionally, he facilitated significant infrastructure improvements, such as the new Pima Animal Care Center, and advanced the Library Nurse Project. Jan Lesher has stated that interim management plans for the departments under Garcia’s leadership will be announced soon.
As Dr. Garcia moves on to the next chapter after his tenure with Pima County, his contributions to public health strategies and leadership are expected to have a lasting impact on the community he served.
