Assemblywoman Carrillo Honors Dr. Barbara Ferrer

SACRAMENTO, CA - Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles) announced that Dr. Barbara Ferrer was named the 2022 Woman of the Year for the 51st Assembly District.  The Woman of the Year distinction highlights the achievements of trailblazing women throughout California during Women’s History Month.

“It is an honor to recognize Dr. Barbara Ferrer, Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, as our 2022 Woman of the Year,” said Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo. “Dr. Ferrer is a nationally recognized public health leader whose work has been instrumental in the fight against COVID-19. Her commitment and dedication has literally saved the lives of our most vulnerable residents in Los Angeles County. Her over 40 years of professional experience helped aid the strategies needed amid a global pandemic and have been modeled across the nation. Dr. Ferrer’s efforts the last two years and her decades of service have proven results in health, education, and racial equity.”

“I am deeply humbled to be honored as Woman of the Year by Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo and congratulate the many extraordinary leaders and community champions who are also being honored. This award is a tribute to the tremendous work of so many across the county over the course of the pandemic, and I feel blessed to be part of this amazing Los Angeles community as we continue working together to protect the health and wellbeing of the more than ten million residents in LA County.”

Currently, Dr. Ferrer leads the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, which protects health, prevents disease, and promotes equity and well-being among LA County’s more than 10 million residents. As the Public Health Director, she oversees a budget of over $2.2 billion and directs a multidisciplinary workforce of nearly 7,000 staff. Under Dr. Ferrer’s leadership, Public Health works alongside the Departments of Health Services and Mental Health to integrate services across departments to best serve residents throughout the County’s 4,000 square miles.

As the public health director of Los Angeles County, Dr. Ferrer guided the region’s COVID-19 pandemic response.  Dr. Ferrer engaged and collaborated with a vast network of community-based partners throughout the pandemic to ensure appropriate policies and targeted services. The equity-based crisis response has included communications with residents, businesses, and education sectors, development and implementation of health officer orders, disease and outbreak management, vaccine planning and administration, and engagement of key stakeholders and community leaders in response efforts.

Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo was elected to the 51st Assembly District in December of 2017 to represent the people of East Los Angeles, Northeast Los Angeles, and the neighborhoods of El Sereno, Echo Park, Lincoln Heights, Chinatown and parts of Silver Lake.