The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday appointed Dr. Grant Colfax, former director of the San Francisco Department of Public Health, as director of Contra Costa Health (CCH), effective Aug. 19.
Contra Costa officials credited Dr. Colfax for helping steer one of the nation’s most robust local responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. In San Francisco, he led a 9,000-employee department with a $3.2 billion budget that spans acute and trauma care, behavioral health, primary care, detention health and population health.
In Contra Costa County, Dr. Colfax will oversee a similarly comprehensive network that includes Contra Costa Regional Medical Center and Health Centers, behavioral health services, emergency medical services, environmental health, and public health operations serving more than 1.2 million residents.
His career also includes service as director of the White House Office of National AIDS Policy during the Obama administration and director of HIV Prevention and Research at the San Francisco Department of Public Health.
Colfax succeeds Dr. Ori Tzvieli, who served as interim director during the executive search and will continue as the County’s Health Officer.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Colfax to Contra Costa County. His visionary leadership and deep understanding of public health systems will be invaluable as we work to expand access to care, address longstanding health disparities, and support the overall well-being of our communities,” Board Chair Candace Andersen said.
Colfax said he is eager to get started.
“I am honored to join Contra Costa Health and to serve a community that values collaboration, compassion, and equity,” he said. “I look forward to working with the incredible staff and partners across the County to improve outcomes and ensure that every resident — regardless of background or circumstance — has access to quality, dignified care.”
According to the county, the cost to fund the Director of Health Services position for the remainder of the fiscal year is about $619,000, with annual ongoing costs estimated at about $708,000. Those expenses are budgeted in the 2025–26 fiscal year. Colfax holds a Bachelor of Science in biology from Harvard College and a Doctor of Medicine from Harvard Medical School.
