Orange County secures new public health officer following March 8 consideration

The Orange County Health Care Agency, located on 17th Street in Santa Ana, works on the frontlines of the county’s pandemic response efforts. JAKE NEEDHAM, Staff Photographer

Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, the current deputy health officer of the Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA), has been appointed to serve as the county’s new public health officer beginning March 11. Prior to the promotion, Chinsio-Kwong had been at the helm of various pandemic response efforts and representing OCHCA at press conferences since November 2020.

Following County Executive Officer (CEO) Frank Kim’s recent recommendation, however, the OCHCA Board of Supervisors met to consider Chinsio-Kwong for the role of Orange County public health officer during their March 8 meeting. The recommendation was passed unanimously by the Board of Supervisors.

OC Deputy Health Officer Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong will take over as the county’s public health officer March 11. The position was formerly filled by Clayton Chau, who also works as director of the Orange County Health Care Agency. Photo courtesy of Regina Chinsio-Kwong

“(Chinsio-Kwong) has the ability to transform our public health care system in a very positive way,” said Katrina Foley, supervisor of the second district. “Since Chinsio-Kwong used to be a family practitioner before taking up a role at the health agency, she has shown us that she is very competent in understanding the needs of the community, along with caring for the families of Orange County.”

Chinsio-Kwong has worked as a physician since 2009 and has over 11 years of experience in the field of health care. She obtained her medical degree in osteopathic medicine from Western University in 2006 and went on to complete her residency training in family medicine at Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton. 

Currently, she has been operating on the front lines in order to navigate the largest health crisis in recent Orange County history: the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“In my working with Dr. Chinsio-Kwong, I find her to be an intelligent, dedicated public servant who is great for the community and does an excellent job explaining information to the public,” said Donald Wagner, vice chairman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors. “(Chinsio-Kwong) has proven to be a talented public health official and has served capably at the OC Health Agency thus far.”

Once Chinsio-Kwong’s new title goes into effect, OCHCA Director Dr. Clayton Chau,who has also been serving as the County Health Officer for the past 18 months, will be stepping down from his current position to focus his attention on implementing new healthcare reform initiatives across the state of California. These initiatives will help address multiple pressing health care concerns across residents in Orange County, according to the March 8 staff report. 

Chau was appointed to the health officer role by the Board of Supervisors following the resignation of Nichole Quick, the previous Orange County Health Officer, which occurred a few months into the pandemic. Since August 2020, Chau has been fulfilling the role of both county health officer as well as director of OCHCA.

“Since Chau has been filling two positions, he hasn’t had a week where he’s worked less than 60 hours,” Kim, who brought forth the recommendation of Chinsio-Kwong, told the Orange County Register.

With Chinsio-Kwong now relieving Chau of his role as County Health Officer, it will allow him to focus on the creation and implementation of the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) initiative, which is considered to be the largest healthcare form in recent California history. 

Chinsio-Kwong has been working alongside OCHCA officials over the past year, following her employment as the agency’s deputy health officer. Since being hired to her position, she has been in close contact with the media regarding updated COVID-19 protocols, and she has also  held multiple  press conferences to raise public awareness on mask mandates and vaccination procedures.

Chinsio-Kwong has also worked closely with Chau and the entire OCHCA team over the past year to establish COVID-19 resources for the public, including the delivery of COVID-19 test kits to county residents’ homes. 

“The statements provided by the Board of Supervisors and CEO Frank Kim were all heartwarming and I appreciate the words of support and recognition,” Chinsio-Kwong said. “I am human, and just like most who are in the field of providing service to others, any positive reinforcement or feedback helps nurture me and gives me the strength to continue even through challenges or negative criticism.”

Chinsio-Kwong’s responsibilities as the County Health Officer will include providing management oversight to both the county deputy health officers and the chief nursing officer. In addition, her new position ensures overall responsibility to take necessary actions in order to protect the public’s health and safety within the county. 

Throughout the pandemic especially, Chinsio-Kwong will be tasked with developing and implementing COVID-19 preventative strategies to maintain and improve the health of the public.

“Dr. Chinsio-Kwong has the demonstrated management and leadership experience to assume the role of the County Health Officer,” according to the staff report, in regard to her extensive background and achievements in the healthcare field.

Dr. Chinsio-Kwong will begin her new position as Orange County’s Health Officer March 11, allowing Chau to focus his attention fully on his role as the director of the county Health Care Agency.