Executive Director for Harris County Public Health Has Been Relieved from Her Job

Barbie Robinson, who served as the Executive Director for Harris County Public Health (HCPH), was recently dismissed from her position. This decision was confirmed by the Office of County Administration, following a period of scrutiny over her administration's handling of a contract with DEMA, a California-based consulting company, for a non-emergency program. The contract and Robinson's potential conflict of interest due to her consulting work with DEMA while on the Harris County payroll were at the center of the controversy. This situation led to her being relieved of her duties, effective as of August 30, 2024.

Before her appointment in Harris County, Robinson had a notable career, including serving as the Director of Sonoma County Department of Health Services and holding various leadership positions at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).