St. Louis’ new health director starts Monday after leading Seattle-King County department

Dr. Faisal Khan is scheduled to begin serving Monday, August 3, 2026, as the City of St. Louis’ permanent director of health, ending an interim-director period at the department responsible for public-health services, disease prevention, environmental health, health information and emergency response.

Mayor Cara Spencer announced Khan’s appointment July 30. Victoria Anwuri, who served as interim director during the city’s search, will remain the department’s commissioner of health.

A permanent director takes over

The appointment establishes permanent leadership for the St. Louis Health Department after Anwuri’s interim service began in 2025. The city has not announced specific policy changes, staffing moves, budget decisions or new health initiatives tied to Khan’s arrival.

For residents, the immediate change is administrative. Khan’s scheduled start places him in line to lead the department, while existing health services and public contacts remain in place unless the city announces otherwise.

Khan brings city-region and Seattle experience

The city says Khan brings more than 25 years of public-health leadership, including recent service as director of Public Health—Seattle & King County. A King County strategic-plan document identifies Khan in that role, and public-media reporting on his Seattle appointment described his earlier work as public health director in St. Louis County.

Khan’s prior St. Louis-region experience is separate from his new position. The City of St. Louis and St. Louis County are independent governments, but city records document Khan’s involvement in earlier coordinated COVID-19 response work involving both jurisdictions.

What the city department handles

The City of St. Louis Health Department provides public-health information and services, including work related to disease prevention, environmental health, health data and emergency public-health response. Its responsibilities can affect residents, workplaces, schools, neighborhoods and public facilities across the city.

Khan’s background leading a large public-health department gives him experience relevant to that broad portfolio. The appointment materials, however, do not establish what priorities he will pursue in St. Louis or how the department’s operations may change.

What comes next

Khan’s first scheduled day is August 3, 2026. Future announcements will be needed to determine whether he changes prevention programs, environmental-health work, data reporting, emergency-response planning or other department functions.

Until then, residents should continue using the City of St. Louis Health Department’s existing services and contacts. Anwuri remains part of the department as commissioner of health, providing continuity as Khan assumes the director’s role.

Sources

• City appointment announcement
• Public Health—Seattle & King County 2024–2029 Strategic Plan
• KNKX background report on Khan’s Seattle appointment