CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) — The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District has appointed Mamadou D. Tounkara, MD, MSW, MPH, as its new public health administrator and executive director.
Tounkara, who previously served as CUPHD’s deputy director, assumed the role Tuesday, Feb. 3, succeeding longtime administrator Julie Pryde.
With more than a decade of experience in public health leadership, epidemiology and clinical practice, Tounkara brings a background that includes work in infectious diseases, patient safety and population health. His previous positions include director of population health and lead epidemiologist for Tooele County Health Department in Utah, senior epidemiologist at the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, and COVID-19 hotspot epidemiologist with the department’s Division of Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases.
Tounkara said his approach to public health centers on reflecting the values and needs of the communities served. As administrator, he has identified four priority areas for the district: improving access to health care, supporting healthy behaviors and nutrition, promoting behavioral health and mental wellbeing, and preventing violence through harm reduction and community partnerships.
His goals include reducing barriers to care, expanding preventative services, increasing access to affordable and nutritious food, and supporting early intervention and trauma-informed approaches to mental health. He also emphasized collaboration with local partners to address homelessness and reduce gun violence and injury.
Tounkara currently serves on the Champaign County Homeless Shelters and Outreach Committee, a role that aligns with his focus on addressing social determinants of health.
“I look forward to engaging with residents, community-based organizations, health care providers, educators and public safety partners to ensure our efforts reflect the needs and aspirations of this community,” Tounkara said.
More information about Tounkara and the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District is available at the district’s website.