NACCHO Announces Damōn Chaplin as the 2025-2026 Board President

WASHINGTON, July 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- 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 Health Commissioner for the City of Minneapolis Health Department, as President of its Board of Directors for the 2025-2026 term. Commissioner Chaplin assumed the role on July 1, 2025. Following his term as President, he will become NACCHO Board Immediate Past President on July 1, 2026.

"I am excited about this unique opportunity to collaborate with colleagues, board members, and associates across the country to lift their voices and continue building a unified and thriving public health community," said Chaplin. "NACCHO's history of serving as a trusted leader in protecting the interests of local public health is one that I am proud to represent. I'm passionate about our work and look forward to using NACCHO's platform to connect people to the resources they need and help communities function as they were designed."

Damōn Chaplin is a seasoned senior public health administrator with over 25 years of experience in public and private leadership roles. He has worked in local and state government, program and policy development, regulatory agencies, as well as for-profit and not-for-profit systems, and union environments. Chaplin currently leads the City of Minneapolis Health Department, which is comprised of six divisions and 14 programs and serves a population of over 425,000 residents. In his role, Chaplin has put forth three primary areas that his department is addressing: substance abuse, including how this problem impacts homelessness in Minneapolis; racial equity in access to health care and health-related outcomes; and the city's Climate Legacy Initiative (CLI).

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 (MDPH) (2016- 2018).

In his role as Director of Local Public Health Initiatives with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH), 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 to improve health equity and strengthen workforce development. He was also the founding director and manager of the Massachusetts Large Cities Coalition (MLCC). The MLCC 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 MDPH, 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 honored to welcome Damōn as our new Board President," said Lori Tremmel Freeman, NACCHO CEO. "His proven leadership in both small and large jurisdictions comes at a pivotal and critical time in public health where local health departments are navigating ongoing changes and emerging challenges. His commitment to supporting a stronger public health workforce and infrastructure, along with his long-time dedication to ensuring the lives of every member of every community are enhanced by local health department programs, will strengthen our ability to serve the over 3,300 local health departments across the country."

NACCHO's Board is led by four executive officers, including:

• Damōn Chaplin, MBA, President; City of Minneapolis Health Department, MN
• Patrick McGough, DNP, MSHR, RN, CHA, President-Elect; Oklahoma City-County Health Department, OK
• Bisola Ojikutu, MD, MPH, FIDSA, Vice President; Boston Public Health Commission, MA
  
  
• Michael Kilkenny, MD, MS, Immediate Past President; Cabell-Huntington Health Department, WV

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.

About the City of Minneapolis Health Department 

The Minneapolis Health Department offers a comprehensive range of services aimed at enhancing the quality of life and building healthier communities for all Minneapolis residents and visitors to the city. With the support of more than 172 employees operating in six divisions, 14 program areas, and a budget of approximately $42 million, the Health Department collaborates with and through its community partners to enhance 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. 

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SOURCE NACCHO (National Association of County & City Health Officials)