Dr. Takashi Wada Accepts Position in Santa Barbara

Dr. Takashi Wada has accepted the position of public health director and health officer for Santa Barbara County after a nationwide recruitment.

His appointment was announced during a meeting of the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors yesterday.  Hired by the city of Pasadena in December 2003, he will begin his new position in March.

“This was one of the most difficult decisions of my life and I have only wonderful things to say about Pasadena ,” Wada said.  “While this move is a certainly a step up in responsibility from a career perspective, the motivation for this change was primarily for family reasons.”

Wada is director of the Pasadena Public Health Department and the city’s public health officer, providing medical direction and guidance for the department and enforcing local and state public health orders, ordinances and statutes.  As a key coordinator for emergency response planning and operations, he has worked with local, state and federal agencies to take preventive measures in protecting and preserving the public health of this community.

“Takashi Wada has demonstrated superior vision and leadership to the department, the community and local health service providers,” said Pasadena City Manager Michael J. Beck.  “He will be difficult to replace.”

Wada frequently has provided expertise to media in the Los Angeles region on issues ranging from the H1N1 virus to tobacco control.