Cara Biddlecom is the Interim Public Health Director at the Oregon Health Authority, Public Health Division. In her role, Cara provides strategic leadership for the Public Health Division’s 929 FTE, over 115 programs and a biennial budget of $1.4B. In this capacity, Cara provides leadership for the Public Health Division’s enterprise-wide initiatives, which includes work with all 33 local public health authorities; Oregon’s federally-recognized Tribes, community-based organizations and public health system partners toward the elimination of health inequities. Prior to serving as the Interim Public Health Director, Cara served as the Public Health Division Deputy Director since 2016, where she focused on implementation of public health policy and strategic initiatives, including modernization of Oregon’s governmental public health system, Oregon’s State Health Assessment and State Health Improvement Plan, and development of state agency partnerships to address social and structural determinants of health and equity. Cara’s prior work experience at the Public Health Division also includes work in health promotion and chronic disease prevention and Oregon’s health system transformation effort. Prior to joining the Public Health Division in 2008, Cara worked in public health at the national and at the National Association of County and City Health Officials in HIV/STI prevention and adolescent health. Cara also led health programming at Our Place, DC, a communitybased organization serving individuals affected by the carceral system. Cara’s prior work experience also includes harm reduction, HIV and Hepatitis C prevention. Cara holds a Master of Public Health degree in Health Behavior from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and 20 years of experience in public health.