SACRAMENTO (KNX) — California Surgeon General Dr. Nadine Burke Harris has resigned, according to the office of Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Harris was the first person to serve in the position, created in 2019.
"Dr. Burke Harris' expertise and leadership in championing equity, mental health and early childhood development have been instrumental in advancing the health and well-being of Californians," Newsom said in a statement on Tuesday.
Newsom appointed Harris, a pediatrician, in 2019. She previously ran a community clinic in San Francisco. In 2011, she founded the Center for Youth Wellness — a pediatric medicine nonprofit.
"I thank her for the impactful initiatives and frameworks she has put in place as California's first-ever surgeon general, and we'll continue this important work to create healthier communities across the state," Newsom said.
It was not immediately disclosed why Harris had decided to step down. Nor did Newsom's office communicate when he is expected to appoint her replacement.
