The Multnomah County Health Department has quickly moved to fill key leadership positions at the start of 2025, welcoming three new directors with diverse backgrounds and a unified commitment to public health and equity. Detailing the hires in a recent announcement, the department introduced Kirsten Aird as the Public Health Director, Michael D. Crandell as Corrections Health Director, and Angela Henderson as Deputy Director of Strategy, Policy, Racial Justice, and Equity. According to the Multnomah County official news release, the appointments come at a crucial time when the department aims to robustly meet the community's needs.
"We are excited to welcome these three leaders to the Health Department," said Rachael Banks, Health Department Director, in a statement obtained by Multnomah County. Aird, taking up her role on January 13, brings over two decades of experience from the Oregon Health Authority, aiming to continuously improve and solidly manage the department's public health strategies. Crandell, who started his position on January 21, comes with a twenty-five-year tenure in healthcare leadership roles and a deep background in primary care and patient satisfaction. Henderson, joining the team on February 28, is described as a strategic leader with three decades of service experience, to deeply delve into the departmental strategy and center racial justice and equity in her work.
Aird's long-standing focus on equity-driven initiatives is expected to complement her new role as Public Health Director. With a background that includes running chronic disease programs and overseeing substantial federal grants, Aird's expertise is reinforced by her educational accolades, a master’s degree in Public Health Policy and Management from Emory University, and a Bachelor of Science in Biology/Chemistry from Linfield College, as per the Multnomah County news release.
Crandell's extensive career in healthcare operations and academic contributions are also positioned to notably broaden the Corrections Health services. Aside from his doctorate in Healthcare Administration, Crandell's lifetime of military service and his role in academic institutions are intended to deeply inform his new position. Henderson's approach to policy and strategy heavily emphasizes collaboration and sustainable impact, qualities she is expected to bring into the Health Department's racial justice and equity efforts. Her experience spanning across different governmental levels lends itself to managing the department’s Office of Health Equity, a key aspect of her new role, as per Multnomah County.
The hires are part of a strategic move by the Health Department to bolster its leadership ranks in light of the ongoing challenges in public health and the pursuit of equity. With these three leaders on board, the department underscores its commitment to developing a healthier community grounded in equitable policies and practices. As they settle into their new roles, Henderson, Aird, and Crandell will endeavor to turn the department's vision for a healthier future into a tangible reality for all of Multnomah County's residents.
