After Guiding Sacramento County Through The Pandemic, Dr. Kasirye Prepares For Retirement

Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, terms such as “essential” and “trusted community messenger” highlighted the vital contributions of individuals and reliable information. Dr. Olivia Kasirye, the public health officer for Sacramento County, exemplified both roles. Announcing her retirement in March, coinciding with the sixth anniversary of the COVID pandemic shutdown she navigated, Dr. Kasirye stated, “I feel that I have done everything that I wanted to do and I’m ready to move on.” Her career commenced in 2004, with key achievements including overseeing public health accreditation in November 2024. Notably, Dr. Kasirye developed protocols during Ebola scares and spearheaded initiatives during the 2022 monkeypox outbreak. Reflecting on her legacy, she emphasized the importance of trust in public health and the enduring battle against misinformation. Following her retirement, she aims to unwind before tackling future public health challenges, hoping to be remembered for her role in managing a significant global crisis and saving lives.