Washington, DC, August 5, 2024 — The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), the voice of the over 3,300 local health departments across the country, announces Damōn Chaplin, MBA and Commissioner for the City of Minneapolis Department of Health, as President-Elect of its Board of Directors for the 2024-2025 term. Commissioner Chaplin assumed the role on July 1, 2024. Following his term as President-Elect, he will become NACCHO Board President on July 1, 2025.
“I am honored to be named NACCHO’s president-elect and look forward to growing the organization’s commitment to public health,” said Chaplin. “NACCHO has allowed me to connect with public health leaders across the country during my career and continues to serve as a national platform for all public health agencies, large and small, to share best practices and collaborate on how to serve our communities best.”
Damōn Chaplin has an interest in improving the mental health and well-being of community members, especially youth and their families. He’s particularly focused on addressing the opioid crisis, the unsheltered population, and racial and health equity.
Before coming to Minneapolis, Chaplin served as the Director for the city of New Bedford Health Department in Massachusetts (2018-2023) and Director of Local Public Health Initiatives with the Office of Local and Regional Health at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (2016- 2018).
In his role as the Director of Local Public Health Initiatives with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, he provided statewide leadership and direction to local health departments interested in applying for accreditation and forming public health districts using a shared service model for improving health equity and strengthening workforce development. He was also the founding director and manager of the Massachusetts Large Cities Coalition (MLCC). The MLCC coalition consists of the state’s 14 largest cities (cities with populations of 70,000 or greater), ranging from Framingham, with a population of approximately 70,000, to Boston with a population of more than 650,000.
In his former role as Metro-Boston Regional Director with the MDPH, Chaplin provided overall statewide leadership and oversight of the Metro Boston Region where he represented, six Community Health
Network Alliances (CHNA’s), approximately 65 cities and towns, and a regional health office composed of seven bureaus, 10 programs, and approximately 59 staff members of whom he provided indirect supervision and guidance.
As the metro Boston Regional Director of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Chaplin oversaw the direct management and performance of the Donovan Health Building, including facilities management, fiscal management, and overall building operations. Under his leadership, Chaplin and his team strengthened and supported local public health within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts by providing a coordinated system of programs and services to the local boards of health, community coalitions, universities, and hospitals.
“We are pleased to announce Damōn Chaplin as President-Elect,” said Lori Tremmel Freeman, NACCHO CEO. “Throughout his tenure on the board, Damōn has shown exceptional leadership and commitment towards advancing public health initiatives. We look forward to his continued leadership and contributions in his new role.”
NACCHO’s Board is led by four executive officers, including:
- Michael Kilkenny, MD, MS, President; Cabell-Huntington Health Department, WV
- Damōn Chaplin, MBA, President-Elect; City of Minneapolis Department of Public Health, MN
- Patrick McGough, DNP, MSHR, RN, CHA, Vice President; Oklahoma City-County Health Department, OK
- Pramōd Dwivedī, DrPH, MS, Immediate Past President; Linn County Public Health Department, IA
NACCHO is governed by a 22-member board comprising local and tribal health officials who are elected by their peers, as well as one ex-officio member representing partner organizations. As the governing
body, NACCHO’s Board of Directors establishes the association’s strategic direction and initiatives, sets the annual legislative agenda, approves official policy statements, ensures that annual goals are met, and provides financial oversight. The Board is NACCHO’s public face and represents members in matters of policy, public health practice, and collaboration with health partners in the public and private sectors.
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About the City of Minneapolis Health Department
The Minneapolis Health Department provides a wide range of services designed to improve the quality of life for all of Minneapolis residents and those who visit our city. With the support of more than 160 employees operating six divisions, 14 program areas, and a budget of more than $38 million, the Health Department works with and through our community partners to improve public health. The department develops and administers programs, recommends policies, promotes health equity and healthy behaviors, and prevents disease outbreaks and injuries.
About NACCHO
The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) represents the over 3,300 local governmental health departments across the country. These city, county, metropolitan, district, and tribal departments work every day to protect and promote health and well-being for all people in their communities. For more information about NACCHO, please visit www.naccho.org.