Sisson resigns after 11 months as Placer Health Public Health Officer

Dr. Aimee Sisson on Wednesday submitted her resignation as Placer County Public Health Officer and Director. Sisson started the job in October 2019 and quickly became familiar to residents as Placer County's main voice when the COVID-19 pandemic struck early in 2020. Sisson provided regular updates on the virus that eventually led to stay-at-home orders, closed schools and businesses and canceled events across the nation and world. "It is with a heavy heart that I submit this letter of resignation. Today's action by the Placer County Board of Supervisors made it clear that I can no longer effectively serve in my role as Placer County Health Officer and Public Health Director," Sisson said in a written statement. The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved in a unanimous vote a resolution to terminate the declaration of the local health emergency regarding COVID-19. "Over the last six months, we've had 200 hospitalizations and 35 deaths," District 4 Supervisor Kirk Uhler said. "We are recognizing that we do not meet that threshold of a state of emergency and we're acting, I believe, prudently to end our local state of emergency in accordance with state law." Dr. Sisson secured critical testing capabilities to help quickly detect new cases and protect first responders and focus on vulnerable residents in congregate living facilities, according to a news release issued by Placer County. Most recently, she worked closely with the Placer County Office of Education to help secure a testing contract to support the safe reopening of Placer schools for in-person instruction. She said she intends to stay on the job until Sept. 25. "I am grateful to have been granted the tremendous privilege and responsibility of protecting and promoting the health of Placer County's 400,000 residents over the last 10 months," she said in her statement. A search for a new health officer will begin immediately in collaboration with incoming Health and Human Services Director Dr. Rob Oldham and the Board of Supervisors, according to the news release. "Over the past seven months with Dr. Sisson's leadership, Placer County has succeeded in limiting the spread of COVID-19, leaving us well positioned to continue safely reopening our economy while still taking necessary precautions," Placer County Executive Officer Todd Leopold said. "We wish her the best in her future endeavors."