The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors has tapped Dr. Phuong Luu to take the helm of the county’s public health operation, unanimously concurring with County Executive David Villanueva’s appointment at its April 28 meeting. Her term as public health officer is scheduled to begin June 1, 2026, giving her a long on-ramp to shift out of her current job and into overseeing disease response, emergency preparedness and countywide public-health programs.
County Announcement
According to Sacramento County, the board "unanimously concurred" with Villanueva’s choice of Dr. Luu at the April 28 meeting and confirmed her June 1, 2026 start date. Villanueva called her a strong fit for the job, saying, "Her leadership, expertise and commitment to community health will greatly strengthen our public health division."
Who Is Dr. Phuong Luu?
Dr. Luu has served as the Bi‑County Health Officer for Yuba and Sutter counties since January 2020, where she has been the medical executive in charge of clinical guidance, community health planning and emergency preparedness, according to Sutter County. Her work enrolling justice‑involved individuals in Medi‑Cal and improving reentry care drew national notice, earning recognition from the Association for Community Affiliated Plans, per a Partnership HealthPlan press release.
Before her current post, Dr. Luu served as Medical Director of Public Health for the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation in Saipan and completed a General Internal Medicine fellowship at Johns Hopkins University.
Transition From Kasirye
Dr. Luu will step into the role held by Dr. Olivia Kasirye, who announced in 2025 that she would retire in March 2026 after more than two decades with Sacramento County’s public‑health program, as outlined by Sacramento County. The county says Kasirye will work alongside the Department of Health Services director in the coming months to help guide the leadership handoff.
What To Watch
Health leaders point to Luu’s experience steering pandemic response in smaller, rural counties as a key piece of what she brings to Sacramento, per Sutter County. Her track record on reentry work and Medi‑Cal continuity for people leaving incarceration is another area that observers expect to loom large in her new post, according to Partnership HealthPlan.
Advocates say smooth handoffs between hospitals, clinics and county programs will be crucial as the new health officer settles in, and county leaders have signaled they are looking to Luu to emphasize equity and collaboration across agencies. With a unanimous vote already in the books, the path is clear for her June 1 start and a formal onboarding process with county staff.
