CDPH Director Dr. Tomás J. Aragón to deliver 2024 commencement ceremony address for the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health

Dr. Tomás J. Aragón, director of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and State Public Health Officer since January 2021, will deliver the 2024 commencement address at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health’s commencement ceremony on Friday, June 14.

As director of CDPH, Aragón works with collaborative partnerships to mobilize communities and institutions to transform policies and systems towards a culture of equity, antiracism, healing, and health for all. In his role as State Public Health Officer, Aragón works to protect health and prevent disease. 

“I am thrilled that Dr. Tomás J. Aragón will join us as the 2024 UCLA Fielding School of Public Health commencement speaker,” said UCLA Fielding School of Public Health dean and distinguished professor of biostatistics Dr. Ron Brookmeyer. “From Dr. Aragón’s work addressing COVID-19 to his prioritization of increasing equity and health for all, I believe that his insight and experience will inspire our graduating students as they begin illustrious careers of their own.” 

Prior to his current role as director of the California Department of Public Health and State Public Health Officer, Aragón was the health officer for the City and County of San Francisco and director of the public health division.

Aragón, who has served in public health leadership roles for more than 20 years — including communicable disease controller, deputy health officer, health officer, community health and chronic disease epidemiologist — earned BA and DrPH degrees at the University of California, Berkeley, and graduated with both MPH and MD degrees from Harvard University. He completed his clinical and research training at University of California, San Francisco.

The UCLA Fielding School of Public Health commencement ceremony will be held on Friday, June 14 at 5:30 PM PDT in UCLA’s Royce Hall. The live event will be available for viewing on UCLA Fielding School's YouTube channel.