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A RESOLUTION recognizing and honoring Dr. Jeffrey S. Duchin for his decades of dedicated public health leadership and mentorship, his instrumental role in responding to infectious disease threats, including the COVID-19 pandemic, and his contributions to scientific research, local and national public health policy.
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WHEREAS, Dr. Jeffrey S. Duchin has dedicated over 30 years to public health, including serving as Health Officer for Seattle & King County, where he provided critical guidance and expertise in protecting community health, and
WHEREAS, Dr. Duchin is recognized locally and nationally as a trusted, accessible and important voice promoting the public's health, communicating vital information and guidance about the most pressing public health issues, and
WHEREAS, Dr. Duchin played a pivotal role in leading King County's public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic, providing clear, science-based guidance and ensuring equitable access to medical resources while navigating unprecedented challenges, and
WHEREAS, Dr. Duchin previously led King County's response to the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, managing the allocation of limited vaccine supplies and mitigating the impact of the outbreak on the community, and
WHEREAS, Dr. Duchin collaborated with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to establish a syndromic surveillance system in preparation for the 1999 World Trade Organization Ministerial in Seattle, which later expanded to enhance early outbreak detection and public health preparedness across multiple diseases, including COVID-19, and
WHEREAS, Dr. Duchin's leadership in regional infectious disease response led to the development of the Northwest Healthcare Response Network, strengthening healthcare system collaboration in emergency preparedness, and
WHEREAS, Dr. Duchin has served at the national level as a member of the U.S. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the National Academy of Medicine’s Forum on Microbial Threats, and multiple Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and public health advisory committees, contributing to national policies on disease prevention and response, and
WHEREAS, Dr. Duchin has made significant contributions to scientific literature, authoring over 100 peer-reviewed articles on communicable diseases, pandemic response, and public health preparedness, including pioneering work on Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, and
WHEREAS, Dr. Duchin has mentored and trained future public health leaders, including CDC Epidemic Intelligence Service Officers and fostering excellence in disease investigation and epidemiology, and
WHEREAS, Dr. Duchin has been recognized as a Fellow of both the American College of Physicians and the Infectious Diseases Society of America, and has served as a professor and mentor at the University of Washington in the Schools of Medicine and Public Health, advancing public health education and research;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF HEALTH OF KING COUNTY:
The Board and Public Health - Seattle & King County express our deepest gratitude to Dr. Jeffrey S. Duchin for exceptional service, leadership, and dedication to protecting the health and well-being of our community.