Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter has appointed Kate Guzmán as the county’s new health officer. She will oversee nearly 350 employees in the Oakland County Health Division, advancing the county’s strategic goal to protect and improve resident’s health.
“Kate brings years of experience to the job and an instinctive ability to bring people together to address tough health issues,” Coulter says. “She is deeply connected to our communities and committed to the well-being of our residents.”
A registered nurse, Guzmán joined the Oakland County Health Division in 2016 as a public health supervisor of clinical services. Over the past eight years, she has risen through the ranks, serving as chief of clinical services and later as administrator of medical services, where she led the county’s clinics, laboratory and communicable disease units.
“I love this work because it’s about people – helping families, protecting communities and making sure everyone has access to the care and resources they need,” says Guzmán. “I’m excited to step into this role and continue expanding our outreach, building partnerships and making public health more accessible to every corner of Oakland County.”
Guzmán has served on the Board of Trustees for Children’s Hospital of Michigan and as a member of the Governor’s COVID-19 Taskforce.
Her journey in public health began as a health extension volunteer with the Peace Corps in Malawi, Africa. After returning to the United States, she earned her nursing degree from Johns Hopkins University and later obtained a master’s degree in public and community nursing from the University of Michigan. With 18 years of experience across hospitals, nonprofit clinics and local public health departments, Guzmán brings a wealth of knowledge and an unwavering dedication to her new role.
