The Board of Supervisors, at its July 17 meeting, concurred with the County Executive’s appointment of Peter Beilenson as Director of the Department of Health Services, effective Aug. 12, 2018.
“We are pleased to welcome someone of Dr. Beilenson’s extensive experience and deep appreciation of public sector work to Sacramento County,” said Bruce Wagstaff, Deputy County Executive, Social Services.
Dr. Beilenson has more than 25 years of experience in the delivery of public health services, administration and policy. He was the Baltimore City Health Commission from 1992-2005, the Howard County (Maryland) Health Director from 2007-12, and CEO, President and founder of Evergreen Health CO-OP (a nonprofit, Baltimore-based health insurer) from 2012-17.
As the Baltimore City Health Commissioner, Dr. Beilenson oversaw a staff of 1,300 and managed a budget of more than $250 million. His accomplishments included reforming, enhancing and dramatically expanding Baltimore’s drug treatment system; establishing virtually 100% immunization compliance in city schools; and developing a citywide lead poisoning prevention initiative.
While working as the Howard County Health Director, Dr. Beilenson developed and implemented a unique-in-the-country health access plan (Healthy Howard) that provided uninsured County residents with primary care and specialty services, along with hospital care and prescription medications, at very low monthly premiums.
At the Evergreen Health CO-OP, Dr. Beilenson gained extensive experience in the areas of health care financing, public assistance program eligibility, insurance and the various aspects of ambulatory care.
Dr. Beilenson received his undergraduate degree from Harvard College, his medical Doctorate from Emory University School of Medicine, and his Masters in Public Health from the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health.