PASADENA, Calif.—With the recent announcement of Pasadena Public Health Department Director and Health Officer Dr. Ying-Ying Goh taking a one-year leave of absence for a prestigious fellowship in Washington, D.C., Interim City Manager Cynthia Kurtz has appointed Public Health Deputy Director Manuel Carmona to serve as interim public health director.
Carmona has served as deputy public health director since January 2020 and has directed non-clinical department operations and provided administrative and fiscal management guidance in support of the health department’s COVID-19 pandemic response. He developed and maintained critical community programs in the areas of violence prevention; health equity; and maternal, adolescent and child health. Carmona has also led special initiatives, including strategic planning and reaccreditation, and served as co-chair for the Pasadena Elderly and Dependent Adult Liaisons (PEDAL) Committee.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as the interim director for the public health department and lead such a committed and talented public health team. I am confident in our ability to continue our work preserving and protecting public health in the Pasadena community,” says Carmona.
Carmona joined Pasadena Public Health Department in 2014 as a management analyst, where he managed the Administration and Finance Division. He previously worked for bigger- and smaller-sized cities in a range of municipal operations, including human resources, economic development, code enforcement, and parks and recreation. He expects to complete a Master of Public Health from the University of Washington this fall. He already has a Master of Public Administration from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor of Science in community & regional development from the University of California, Davis.
Carmona is an alumnus of Health Equity Awakened and Leadership Pasadena. In 2020, he participated in the National Leadership Academy for the Public’s Health (NLAPH). He currently sits on the board of directors of Leadership Pasadena and Central Altadena Little League.
Carmona is a San Gabriel Valley native and lives in Altadena with his wife and two kids. He is an avid sports fan and enjoys camping, hiking and fishing.
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