Skip to main content

KingCounty.gov is an official government website.

Official government websites use .gov
Website addresses ending in .gov belong to official government organizations in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Only share sensitive information on official, secure websites.
King County Washington home

About the Board of Health

Legal background: The Metropolitan King County Council established the King County Board of Health in accordance with Washington state law (RCW 70.05.035). King County Code (Chapter 2.35) creates the King County Board of Health as a federated body with an equal number of non-elected and elected officials.

Board of Health role

The role of the Board is to advocate for the preservation, promotion, and protection of public health, prevent the spread of disease, set local public health regulations and some fees and licenses, and enforce state and local public health laws. These duties are enumerated in RCW 70.05.060.

The Board of Health does not have appropriation (budget) authority. Additionally, the Board takes a racial equity approach to its work and expects its members to be committed to racial equity and ending the impacts of racism on health.

Board of Health responsibilities

Passing rules and regulation

Passing rules and regulations pertaining to public health (not health care) most typically around issues relating to the spread of communicable disease, nuisances like rodents, septic systems, and food establishments like restaurants. For example, the Board sets fees that the Health Department charges for restaurant inspections, creates rules to control of rabies in pets, and establishes laws such as regulating e-cigarettes.

Creating and passing resolutions

Creating and passing resolutions, which are policy statements in support of projects or programs. Resolutions are not legally enforceable, but represent the voice of the Board in support of such issues as supporting funding for public health and declaring racism to be a public health crisis.

Developing guidelines and recommendations

Using expert testimony and research, the Board creates guidelines and recommendations that may be adopted by various entities. For example, the Board has developed guidelines for healthy vending machines and recommendations for the components of healthy housing.

Current membership roster

In 2026, the Board expanded to comply with a change in state law. The Board is comprised of 10 elected officials and 10 non-elected members, which includes representatives from local tribes and the Seattle Indian Health Board. The remaining seven boardmembers and alternates represent public health consumers, public health providers and other community stakeholders, including individuals with expertise in environmental health. The elected members represent the King County Council, the City of Seattle, and the Sound Cities Association.

The Board of Health meets on the third Thursday of each month at 1 pm in the Metropolitan King County Council Chambers, unless otherwise specified, or through remote access.

Join the Board of Health

Applications to join the Board are welcome from King County residents who share a commitment to public health principles and addressing racism as a public health crisis. The Board is currently considering applications for one vacant position to join in 2027. This vacancy is for the public health, facilities and providers alternate seat.

Learn more about the application process to become a member of the King County Board of Health. Applications are due by July 22, 2026, 11:59 pm PST.

Board of Health members by group

Members are appointed for 1-year terms by the King County Council.

Members are appointed for 2-year terms by the Seattle City Council.

Members are appointed for 1-year terms by the Sound Cities Association

Snoqualmie Indian Tribe

Muckleshoot Indian Tribe

Seattle Indian Health Board

*Either Councilmember Williams or de los Angeles will identify themself as serving as Boardmember at each meeting. Only one will serve at a time.

Members are recommended by the Board and appointed by the King County Council.

  • Butch de Castro, PhD, MSN/MPH, RN, FAAN*
    Term expires December 31, 2026
  • Lisa Chew, MD, MPH
    Term expires December 31, 2026
  • Katherine Gudgel, MS*
    Term expires December 31, 2027
  • Karen Hartfield
    Alternate member representing Public Health, Facilities and Providers.
    Term expires December 31, 2028

*Has environmental health expertise

  • Quiana Daniels, BS, RN, LPN*
    Board of Health Vice-Chair
    Term expires December 31, 2028
  • Mustafa Mohammed, MBCHB, MHP, AAC
    Term expires December 31, 2027
  • LaMont Green (Gullah), DSW
    Alternate member representing Consumers of Public Health
    Term expires December 31, 2027

*Has environmental health expertise

  • Victor Loo
    Term expires December 31, 2028
  • Christopher Archiopoli
    Term expires December 31, 2026
  • Francoise Milinganyo
    Alternate member representing Community Stakeholders
    Term expires December 31, 2026

  • Sandra J. Valenciano, Director and Health Officer of Public Health — Seattle & King County
  • Joy Carpine-Cazzanti, Government Relations – Board of Health, King County Council and Sound Cities Association Cities
    Board of Health Administrator