Kelli Hawkins, SRHD | khawkins@srhd.org | 509.324.1539, c (509) 994-8968

After nationwide search, Alicia Thompson selected to lead county’s public health district

SPOKANE, Wash. – Spokane Regional Health District’s (SRHD) Board of Health (BOH) selected Alicia Thompson, DrPH, LMSW, to be the next administrative officer for the health district. During a special meeting held on Nov. 6, the BOH unanimously approved a mutually agreed upon contract with Thompson, negotiated with Reffett Associates and BOH legal counsel.

Thompson is currently the chief operations officer for Chiricahua Community Health Centers, Inc. in Sierra Vista, Ariz., and she will start at SRHD on Dec. 11, 2023. The selection was made after Thompson, along with two other candidates, completed interview panels with SRHD executive leadership team, the BOH, and a group of community stakeholders. Candidates also participated in a meet-and-greet with SRHD employees.

The administrative officer provides overall leadership for the successful operation of SRHD, including the establishment and implementation of public health policies and programs to promote and protect the health of the citizens of Spokane County. Working at the direction of the BOH, the administrative officer’s responsibilities include enforcing local and state public health laws, serving as chief executive officer for the health district and providing leadership to SRHD staff.

“The board of health is delighted to welcome Alicia Thompson as our administrative officer,” said Kevin Freeman, Mayor of the City of Millwood and SRHD BOH chair. “Both staff and the board are enthusiastic about the public health skills, knowledge and experience Dr. Thompson will bring to our work for a healthier Spokane region.”

Thompson commented, “I am so honored and elated to lead Spokane Regional Health District. By accepting this position, I have come full circle. Spokane County is where my love of public health began, and returning to Spokane to lead SRHD has been goal of mine for a long time.”

Thompson has worked in the public health and nonprofit sectors for more than 25 years. Her career in public health began in Spokane, Wash., where she graduated from Lewis and Clark High School and, after time in the Air National Guard, graduated from Whitworth University with her Bachelor of Arts Cum Laude and from Eastern Washington University with a Master’s in the social work program.

Her leadership experience in public health includes deputy director of the Cowlitz County Health & Human Services department here in Washington, and health director and chief executive officer of the Cascade City-County Health Department in Great Falls, Mont.

Thompson then moved to Arizona where she received her Doctor of Public Health Policy and Management at the University of Arizona and gained additional experience as the dental department manager of El Rio, the health director for Cochise County, Ariz., and is currently the chief operations officer of Chiricahua Community Health Centers, Inc.

About Alicia Thompson, DrPH, LMSW

Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD) is a leader and partner in public health by protecting, improving and promoting the health and well-being of all people through evidence-based practices. SRHD is one of 34 local public health agencies serving Washington state’s 39 counties. Visit www.srhd.org for comprehensive, updated information about SRHD and its triumphs in making Spokane a safer and healthier community. Like SRHD on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to receive safety and wellness tips.