Gates Foundation leader to take over King County Public Health

David Fleming, the director of global health strategies for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, has been named to take over as director of Public Health — Seattle & King County.

Fleming, who also teaches at the University of Washington School of Public Health, has worked for the Gates Foundation, the world's largest philanthropy, since 2003. He has overseen programs to combat diseases that affect poor populations around the world. The foundation invests more than $1 billion in global-health each year.

Before joining the Gates Foundation, Fleming was a deputy director of public health at the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. He holds a medical degree from State University of New York Upstate Medical University and a bachelor's degree in science from SUNY Albany.

The appointment by King County Executive Ron Sims, announced this morning, is subject to approval by the Metropolitan King County Council. If the council approves, he would begin work in February.

"While it's been wonderful working at the Gates Foundation, I'm very honored to now have this opportunity to lead such a great organization," Fleming said in a statement this morning. "The Health Department has superb staff and a history of excellence. Combined with the civic leadership and neighborhood spirit of our region, we have a powerful force for improving the health of our families and community."

Fleming will take over an agency that has been investing heavily in preparation for the possibility of a pandemic flu while it has faced recent criticism over the threat of closing two public health clinics in Bothell and Seattle's Northgate neighborhood.

Dorothy Teeter, chief of health operations, has served as interim director since 2005, when Director Alonzo Plough left for a job at a private California foundation after about 10 years at the helm.

Sims said in a statement that Fleming is uniquely qualified for the role.

"As diseases know no borders and public health is increasingly global, Dr. Fleming's leadership will assure that the best research and practices are available right here at home," Sims said.

Seattle and King County Public Health employs about 1,400 people and has an annual budget of about $267 million.

Sharon Pian Chan: 206-464-2958 or schan@seattletimes.com