Long Beach Health Director Kelly Colopy, who guided the city through its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, will be leaving the city to take on a similar role in Salt Lake County, Utah, the city announced Wednesday.
“Kelly is an unwavering, motivational leader who has navigated us through an unprecedented pandemic, initiatives to end systemic racism, a homeless emergency, and many other critical public health crises,” City Manager Tom Modica said in a statement.
“Her leadership and dedication as Health and Human Services director have made lasting impacts on Long Beach both as an organization and a united community. We wish her all the best in her well- deserved new role in Salt Lake County.”
Colopy has led the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services since 2013. Long Beach and Pasadena both operate municipal health departments separate from the county Department of Public Health.
City officials credited her with dramatically increasing grant funding for the agency, opening the first municipal Office of Equity in Southern California, adding an Office of Youth Development, a Veterans Commission and adding services to address violence prevention and early childhood education.
“Leaving Long Beach is a bittersweet moment for me,” Colopy said in a statement. “The city of Long Beach has been my home for 10 years and I have loved it. Serving as the city’s Health and Human Services Director has been a real privilege. The members of the department team are truly committed, passionate about their work, caring and just so creative and innovative —they have made this work possible.”
“I also truly appreciate the partnership of the city’s leadership, other department directors and community members in coming together through the difficult times over these past few years to work toward a healthy and resilient city. I thank you all.”
Her last day with the city will be Oct. 27. According to the city, she has maintained dual residency in Long Beach and Salt Lake City. She will become the director of the Salt Lake County Department of Human Services.
