Join WHS SoCal on Friday March 26 as public health expert, Dr. Shruti Dhapodkar, Health Emergency Preparedness Manager and Deputy Medical Health Operational Area Coordinator, San Mateo County Health provides her unique perspective regarding the COVID-19 response and lessons learned for risk management.
Dr. Shruti Dhapodkar
Dr. Shruti Dhapodkar is an Emergency Management Specialist who currently serves San Mateo County Health as the Health Emergency Preparedness Manager and Deputy Medical Health Operational Area Coordinator. As an accomplished interdisciplinary professional, Dr. Dhapodkar has an extensive background across a multitude of fields, some of which include critical care medicine, information technology, business, and public health. Additionally, Dr. Dhapodkar serves as the Co-Chair for the Bay Area Biological Threat Detection Program, Association of Bay Area Health Officials, Public Health Preparedness Subcommittee Co-Chair, CCLHO Emergency Preparedness Subcommittee Liaison, and Association of Bay Area Health Officials Liaison.
In her current role, she provides oversight to ensure the continuity of optimal emergency medical services for all during times of disaster with an emphasis on collaboration and integration of medical health emergency preparedness at all stages. She has led operations to respond to events such as wildfires, biological incidents, active shooter events, radiological incidents, and power outages. Notably, she has recently responded to the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, CZU August Lightning Complex Fire, and Public Safety Public Shutoffs. In the COVID-19 Pandemic, she implemented ethical resource allocation, operationalized an Alternate Care Site, while also creating an outreach team to serve vulnerable populations. In the CZU August Lightning activities, she led coordination of medical health resources and provided advanced planning to identify vulnerable population. In response to Public Safety Power Shutoffs, she has led planning protocols for rapid response to identify vulnerable individuals. In all her efforts, she advocates for the most vulnerable populations to the right to healthcare, especially in times of disasters. She is driven by service to ensure equitable access to quality health for all.
She and her team have received recognition for leadership and innovative approaches, such as CDPH Promising Practice Awards 2018, Regional Collaboration Award 2018 & 2019, and the San Mateo County Wellness Award 2020, San Mateo County Stars Program Award 2021. Her team’s practices and methodology have been shared at multiple conferences, such as the National Healthcare Coalition Preparedness Summit, NACCHO Preparedness Summit, and CDPH EPO Preparedness & Training Workshop. However, among her greatest accomplishments are empowering young professionals in County government through mentorship, encouraging team collaboration, and fostering an inclusive environment that builds capacity for growth.
When she is not at work, she enjoys traveling and the outdoors, including scuba diving, and hiking.