Dr. Lockett begins tenure as District Health Officer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 4, 2025

LAS VEGAS—Cassius Lockett, PhD, has officially assumed the role of District Health Officer for the Southern Nevada Health District. He was selected by the Southern Nevada District Board of Health in November 2024 and began his tenure on February 24, 2025, after previously serving as the Deputy District Health Officer-Operations.

Dr. Lockett brings extensive experience in public health. He previously served as Director of the Disease Surveillance and Control and Community Health divisions at the Health District. Before that, he was the Public Health Director for San Mateo County from 2016 to 2021.

As the leader of an agency responsible for the health and well-being of more than 2.3 million residents and 41 million visitors annually, Dr. Lockett aims to strengthen essential services and public health programs.

“I’m excited to expand my role and build on our relationships with community partners at this critical time for public health,” said Dr. Lockett. “The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the vital role public health agencies play in ensuring the health and well-being of our communities. Today, we continue to address pressing public health challenges, including rising congenital syphilis cases, extreme heat conditions, substance misuse and the re-emergence of vaccine preventable diseases. Strengthening our public health infrastructure will be a top priority during my tenure.”

Dr. Lockett will oversee six divisions withing the Health District: Administration, Community Health, Disease Surveillance and Control, Environmental Health and the Southern Nevada Community Health Center, a Federally Qualified Health Center. The agency operates with an annual budget of $172 million.

During the span of his career, Dr. Lockett served as Chief Epidemiologist in Sacramento County and an Epidemic Intelligence Officer at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He also spent nearly a decade teaching epidemiology, infectious disease and informatics at Walden University. Dr. Lockett holds degrees in Dietetics, Nutritional Sciences and Nutrition/Epidemiology from the University of California, Davis.

The Southern Nevada Health District serves as the local public health authority for Clark County, Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite and North Las Vegas. The agency safeguards the public health of the community’s residents and visitors through innovative programs, regulations, and initiatives focused on protecting and promoting their health and well-being. More information about the Health District, its programs, services, and the regulatory oversight it provides is available at www.SNHD.info. Follow the Health District on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.