Mayor Cara Spencer appointed Dr. Faisal Khan as the new St. Louis City Health Director, effective August 3, 2026. Bringing 25 years of public health experience—including leading Seattle & King County Public Health and nearly a decade in St. Louis County leadership—Dr. Khan returns to tackle root causes of local health disparities. Interim Director Victoria Anwuri resumes her permanent role as Health Commissioner.
When St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer set out to fill one of the most vital roles in her cabinet, she wasn’t just looking for an administrator—she was searching for someone who understood the precise, complex pulse of the city’s public health landscape.
Her choice, announced today, brings a familiar face back to the region: Dr. Faisal Khan, a public health veteran with over a quarter-century of executive leadership, has officially been named the new Director of Health for the City of St. Louis. His tenure begins August 3, 2026.
From Seattle Back to the Gateway City
For Dr. Khan, taking the helm of the St. Louis Health Department is a deliberate homecoming. Most recently, he served at the apex of municipal public health as the head of the Public Health department for Seattle & King County—one of the largest, most complex public health agencies in the nation.
Yet despite leading public health efforts on the West Coast, Dr. Khan’s ties to Missouri run deep. Before moving west, he spent nearly a decade in high-level leadership at the St. Louis County Department of Health, gaining firsthand insight into the regional health disparities, systemic obstacles, and community needs unique to local residents.
“Dr. Khan is a leader with deep regional knowledge and national executive experience, and we are thrilled he agreed to return to St. Louis,” said Mayor Cara Spencer. “This is a critical role in my cabinet, and I am confident he is the right person at the right time to lead our efforts addressing the serious public health risks facing St. Louisans.”
Tackling the Root Causes of Health Disparities
Dr. Khan’s approach to public health centers on long-term systemic solutions rather than temporary fixes. Throughout his 25-year career, his work has focused on identifying social determinants of health and structural factors that dictate community wellness.
“I have spent my career studying and addressing the root causes of health outcomes,” Dr. Khan stated upon his appointment. “I know with the team the city has in place, we can make a real difference in the health and quality of life for St. Louis residents.”
A Smooth Transition in Leadership
Dr. Khan steps into a department that has maintained steady guidance over the past year. Victoria Anwuri, the St. Louis Commissioner of Health, has served as Interim Director since 2025 while the city conducted its national search.
With Dr. Khan’s arrival, Commissioner Anwuri will seamlessly transition back to focusing full-time on her role as Health Commissioner. Mayor Spencer expressed immense gratitude for Anwuri’s steady stewardship during the interim period, noting that her commitment to the city kept essential public health operations strong and resilient.
As Dr. Khan prepares to step into City Hall on August 3, the city looks forward to a new era of public health—one rooted in deep local experience and backed by proven national leadership.
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