After narrowing down a list of name options, the board settled on Northern Nevada Public Health.

Later this summer, the Washoe County Health District will officially change its name to Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH).

The official launch date is set for Aug. 31, 2023. The name change will include updated branding (logo, color scheme, outdoor signage), a new website and a new email domain.

All services and responsibilities (immunizations, birth & death records, permitting & compliance, air monitoring, disease investigation, etc.) will not be changed.

In July 2022, the City Councils of Reno and Sparks, and Washoe County Commission, approved the name change to give more autonomy to the regional organization and to help residents better understand that it is a separate organization from Washoe County and its regional scope and responsibilities.

The organization will continue to be governed by the District Board of Health, which includes one elected official and one member (and their appointee) from appointed by the City Councils of Reno and Sparks, and Washoe County Commission, as well as a physician appointed by the District Board of Health Members.

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Original story from July 22, 2022:

The City Councils of Reno and Sparks and Washoe County Commission approved the name change of the Washoe County Health District (WCHD) to become Northern Nevada Public Health, Serving Reno, Sparks, and Washoe County, which won’t officially occur until 2023. 

Despite its name, WCHD is a regional entity and under the jurisdiction of the District Board of Health, which includes one elected official (and their appointee) from the City Councils of Reno and Sparks, and Washoe County Commission, as well as a physician.

Members on the Concurrent Meeting and others have recognized growing public confusion over its scope and responsibility, and therefore instructed staff to explore a new name that better reflects what the district does and who it serves.  

District Health Officer Kevin Dick presented a proposal to change the name to Northern Nevada Public Health.

The name was selected through a series of surveys and focus groups conducted by a third party, the Estipona Group.

The name change will be gradual, with full adoption in 2023.  Â