FRESNO COUNTY \u2013 The Fresno County Department of Public Health has a new, permanent leader in place after a longtime county employee was appointed to the public health director position with strong support from the board of supervisors and public.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Upon recommendation from County Administrative Officer Paul Nerland, the Fresno County Board of Supervisors unanimously confirmed Joe Prado\u2019s appointment to the role on Nov. 18. Prado, formerly the assistant director of public health, had been serving as the interim director since August. Nerland said the \u201cinterim\u201d would be dropped from his title beginning on Nov. 24.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe went through a very extensive recruitment process that was very competitive, (with) many qualified candidates that applied, but it\u2019s an honor and privilege to recommend this morning an internal candidate,\u201d Nerland said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Prado began his career with Fresno County in 1997, Nerland said, and his experience has spanned many departments, including behavioral health, public health, public works and the administrative office.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Throughout the hiring process, Nerland said one thing that stood out about Prado was how much support and trust community leaders have in him. Many individuals reached out to Nerland to share the impact Prado has had on the community through various projects the department is working on.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For example, Nerland said something the county is working on is an American Rescue Plan Act project called the Community Information Exchange, which focuses on suicide prevention and sharing information between schools and hospitals.<\/p>\n
\u201c(It\u2019s) something that we\u2019re excited about, but Joe really has been the passion and the person behind that, and I commend him for his efforts,\u201d Nerland said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Board Chair Buddy Mendes said he also received calls from constituents urging him to support Prado\u2019s appointment. Manuel Cunha, president of the Nisei Farmers League, spoke in favor of Prado during public comment and said he was one of the phone calls.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cunha said Prado was \u201ctremendous\u201d during the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring the protection of farmworkers regardless of if they were working just in Fresno County or traveling to Tulare and Madera counties as well for work.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m really very pleased to have this young man be the director,\u201d Cunha said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Other supervisors likewise praised Prado for his work as both an administrator and a community leader. Supervisor Luis Chavez said he worked with Prado during the pandemic as well, when Prado was a liaison between the county and the Fresno City Council\u2019s COVID-19 subcommittee.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou provided us with information during the difficult time, and you always did that in a very professional manner, and when you spoke, I think people trusted what you said,\u201d Chavez said.\u00a0<\/p>\n