February 03, 2021 Kim Hood joins Louisiana Department of Health as Assistant Secretary of Public Health

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Feb 03, 2021 - Kimberly L. Hood, JD, MPH is joining the Louisiana Department of Health as the Assistant Secretary for the Office of Public Health effective February 8. Hood is an attorney and public health professional whose work focuses on ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare by reducing disparities and addressing social determinants of health. 

Hood most recently served as the Statewide COVID-19 Community Testing Coordinator, developing the program’s strategy and overseeing its implementation. Also, she was responsible for managing the Hepatitis C Elimination Program, including the nation’s first statewide subscription-based drug pricing model, which provides unrestricted access to curative medication for Louisiana Medicaid beneficiaries and the incarcerated. 

The Office of Public Health (OPH), through the work of its more than 1,100 employees, is responsible for protecting and promoting the health and wellness of all individuals and communities in Louisiana. OPH accomplishes this through outreach and education; promotion of healthy lifestyles; preventing disease and injury; enforcing regulations that protect the environment; maintaining vital records; collecting, analyzing and reporting clinical, environmental and public health information; and assuring preventive services to uninsured and underserved individuals and families. As the leader in directing emergency disaster operations, OPH works to ensure readiness for hurricanes, disasters and other threats to Louisiana in conjunction with other state departments.

OPH employs science-based best practices to ensure that all people in Louisiana can grow, develop and live in an environment that promotes the physical, behavioral and social health of individuals, families and communities. As custodians of the public's trust and money, OPH strives to stay connected to what is most important to improve the health of individuals and families.

Prior to joining the Department, Hood was the Chief Operations and Compliance Officer at a local Federally Qualified Health Center and HIV non-profit.

Hood received her B.A. and J.D. from Louisiana State University and her Executive Master of Public Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.