Governor Newsom Appoints South Pasadenan Mark Ghaly as New Head of Agency

Pediatrician and renowned public health expert Mark Ghaly to lead Health and Human Services Agency

PHOTO: Gavin Newsom | Governor Gavin Newsom has appointed South Pasadena resident Mark Ghaly, a practicing pediatrician and director of health and social impact for Los Angeles County as his secretary for the California Health and Human Services Agency (CHHS)

Governor Gavin Newsom has appointed South Pasadena resident Mark Ghaly, a practicing pediatrician and director of health and social impact for Los Angeles County as his secretary for the California Health and Human Services Agency (CHHS).

As both a physician and an expert in public health, Ghaly brings a deep knowledge and understanding of how individual and community health outcomes intersect with policy and law on issues like whole-person care, mental health and stage of life care. He will help lead the administration’s efforts to advance the Governor’s health care agenda, including proposals to lower prescription drug costs, provide coverage to young undocumented adults through MediCal, and help put California on a path toward single-payer health care.

The position requires state Senate confirmation. The compensation is $209,943 for the registered Democrat.

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“At a time when the Trump Administration is systematically dismantling health care protections for American families, California is moving forward on ideas to cover more people and make health care more affordable,” said Newsom. “Mark’s experience, passion and vision will be instrumental in driving California to a healthier future.”

Ghaly, 44, has served as director of health and social impact for Los Angeles County since 2018. He was deputy director of the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services overseeing community health and integrated programs from 2011 to 2018 and medical director for the Southeast Health Center, a San Francisco Department of Public Health clinic, from 2006 to 2011. Ghaly earned a Doctor of Medicine degree from Harvard Medical School and a Master of Public Health degree in health policy from the Harvard School of Public Health.