California’s top physician is stepping down.
Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, who became the state’s first surgeon general in 2019, announced her resignation Tuesday, her office confirmed. Dr. Devika Bhushan, chief health officer, will serve as acting surgeon general.
Gov. Gavin Newsom thanked Burke Harris for “the impactful initiatives and frameworks she has put in place as California’s first-ever surgeon general.”
“Dr. Burke Harris’ expertise and leadership in championing equity, mental health and early childhood development have been instrumental in advancing the health and well-being of Californians,” Newsom said in a statement.
When the governor appointed Burke Harris to the role, he charged her with “tackling the state’s health problems,” according to a May 2021 profile in the Times. She was particularly focused on screening and treating children for adverse childhood experiences and toxic stress, and played a key role in the state’s navigation of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, shown at her home in San Francisco, became the state’s first surgeon general in 2019.(Paul Kuroda / For The Times)
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