Less than a year after taking the job, Sonoma County Health Director Dr. Tanya Phares has notified the county Board of Supervisors of her intention to resign, county officials confirmed Wednesday.
Phares, who previously worked as an internist and health care executive in Reno, said in a statement to the Press Democrat that he wanted to return to clinical practice.
“It is with mixed emotions that I step down as Sonoma County’s health director,” Phares wrote. “It has been an honor to serve Sonoma County, working with the many talented people at the health department.”
Phares declined a request for an interview.
Her resignation comes a month after the Department of Health’s top executive, Tina Rivera, resigned amid increased scrutiny of her leadership and harsh criticism of failed oversight and delayed payment for key Department of Health contracts.
In a statement, Phares said he will “continue to work with leadership” to ensure a smooth transition for the county’s public health department.
“I have learnt a lot over the past year and care deeply about the important work being done in the health service,” she added, “but I regret missing out on clinical practice during this time and intend to return to it in the future.”
County communications director Paul Gullickson said Fales hopes Nov. 14 will be his last day on the job.
Her email to the Board of Supervisors on Monday was just two sentences long and did not give any reason for her resignation.
Phares began his role as health officer on Nov. 14, 2023, replacing Dr. Karen Smith, who had been filling the role on an interim basis since Dr. Sundari Mace resigned in April 2023. Mace, who served as health officer during the pandemic, left to take a job with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The health officer serves as the county’s chief medical officer and health policy officer and is granted authority by the state to declare public health emergencies, issue health orders and assess fines for non-compliance.
Prior to coming to Sonoma County, Phares served as chief medical officer for St. Mary’s Health Network and prior to that served as the health plan’s chief medical officer and medical director for the Nevada Vaccine Clinic.
Gullickson said the Board of Supervisors, which has the power to appoint the health officer, will have its first opportunity to discuss her resignation and the vacancy in closed session at its Oct. 8 meeting.
This is a developing story, check back for updates.
Staff writer Martin Espinoza can be reached at 707-521-5213 or martin.espinoza@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter: @pressreno.
