Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Welcomes Dr. Mamadou Tounkara as New Public Health Administrator
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 3, 2026
Tanya Giannotti, Public Relations
217-531-4939 /
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Welcomes
Dr. Mamadou Tounkara as New Public Health Administrator
Experienced Public Health Leader Brings Community-Focused Approach to District
CHAMPAIGN, IL – Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) has announced the appointment of Mamadou D. Tounkara, MD, MSW, MPH, as its new Public Health Administrator and Executive Director. Dr. Tounkara transitioned from his previous role as Deputy Director on Tuesday, February 3, succeeding former administrator Julie Pryde.
Dr. Tounkara brings over a decade of expertise in public health, research outcomes, medical affairs, patient safety, epidemiology, infectious diseases, and clinical practice. His extensive career includes serving as both Director of Population Health and Lead Epidemiologist at Utah’s Tooele County Health Department; Senior Epidemiologist at the Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS); and COVID-19 Hotspot Epidemiologist with the DHHS Division of Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases.
Guided by his belief that public health is strongest when it reflects the values, needs, and voices of the entire community, Dr. Tounkara has outlined four key priorities for his leadership at CUPHD:
- Improving access to health care by working with the community to reduce barriers, strengthen connections to primary care, expand preventative services, and support partnerships that bring care closer to residents’ homes and workplaces.
- Supporting healthy behaviors and access to nutritious food by increasing the availability of affordable, healthy food, promoting physical activity, and encouraging healthy lifestyles across all life stages.
- Promoting behavioral health and mental wellbeing through early intervention, community-based care, and trauma-informed approaches, as well as collaborating with local partners to reduce homelessness in Champaign County.
- Preventing violence through harm reduction and community safety through evidence-based harm reduction, education, and partnerships aimed at reducing gun violence and other injuries.
Dr. Tounkara currently serves on the Homeless Shelters & Outreach Committee for Champaign County, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to addressing homelessness and related public health issues.
“I look forward to engaging with residents, community-based organizations, health care providers, educators, and public safety partners to ensure our efforts reflect the needs and aspirations of this community,” said Dr. Tounkara.
For more information on Dr. Tounkara, visit www.c-uphd.org/administrator.html.
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