Fauzia Khan will take over as the city of Corpus Christi’s new health director on Oct. 24.
Khan previously served as Immunization Service director for the Oklahoma State Department of Health, where she was in charge of more than 70 employees and an $86 million budget. She has worked in health-related capacities in Ireland, South Sudan, and Nigeria and holds degrees in medicine and surgery from schools in Pakistan and a Master of Public Health degree from Emory University in Atlanta.
The Corpus Christi health department was restructured in March 2022 after Nueces County and the city signed a joint agreement that gave the city full control of what was before a jointly run district. 
The reorganization eliminated the job of longtime Public Health Director Annette Rodriguez, who applied for director of the restructured department. Before her exit, Rodriguez sued the city in federal court and filed a discrimination complaint with the U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission.
Rodriguez was health director during the COVID-19 crisis when Corpus Christi reportedly had one of the fastest-growing outbreaks in the nation and was later recognized for enlisting programs such as Save Our Seniors to slow the virus' spread and save lives. 
Assistant City Manager Steve Viera headed the health agency during the search for a permanent director.
The department, although now city-operated, serves Nueces County residents via a contract with the county.
chuck@thepicayune.com