By Edie Jeffers, Communications Manager
TACOMA, Wash. – Director of Health Anthony L-T Chen, MD, MPH, announced earlier today that life-long Tacoma native Sebrena Chambers will lead Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department’s Strengthening Families Division. The division leads the department’s efforts to improve the health of children and families.
Chambers brings a total of 17 years of experience working in public health at Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. She also has served in private sector roles that give her a unique understanding of customer service, fiscal management and innovation.
She started her career at the health department as an administrative assistant in 1993 and rose through the ranks to become the assistant director of the Strengthening Families Division in 2009. This time period included a four-year hiatus to work in the private sector.
“Sebrena has demonstrated her leadership as a mentor, coach and direct supervisor of major programs,” said Chen. “She is well respected in the community and is committed to achieving health equity, which will help to advance our important mission in Pierce County. Her upbeat spirit and positive energy will be an asset as the Strengthening Families Division begins to chart a new course for the future,” he said.
Strengthening Families focuses on improving the health of children and families and addressing health disparities. Initiatives include evidence-based nursing, family support services, substance abuse prevention education, substance abuse counseling and treatment and comprehensive community oral health planning.
Currently, Chambers is the acting division director and will transition to her new role effective Oct. 28. She succeeds David Vance, who worked for the health department for more than 25 years.
Chambers holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Washington and a master’s degree of public administration and business administration from City University. She is an advisory board member of the United Way, past president and current member of the Tacoma Urban League Guild, past advisory board member for the Fund for Women and Girls, part of the Greater Tacoma Community Foundation, and she is a life-long member of the Central Church of Christ.