Nick Macchione Named One of Governing Magazine’s “Public Officials of the Year”

Nick Macchione, director of health and human services, San Diego County, California, was named one of Governing magazine’s “Public Officials of the Year.” Macchione is a long-time member of the Reforming States Group and its Steering Committee.

Governing has been recognizing individual state and local government officials for their outstanding accomplishments since 1994.  Macchione was honored for his work with Live Well San Diego, a program aimed at improving the health of residents and supporting their healthy lifestyle choices.  As noted by Governing, “Few local leaders have embraced population health more whole-heartedly than… Macchione.”

Live Well San Diego, which has become a model for other regions setting up similar programs, features a everything from cooking classes and insurance counseling to support groups for caregivers and mental health screenings and mammograms.  With Macchione’s leadership, the county has also merged its health and human services department with its housing department, an idea that is catching on around the country since unstable housing is  known to be linked to higher health care costs and poorer population health.

In addition to an article in the magazine, Macchione and his fellow recipients were honored at a gala in Washington, DC, earlier this month.

“We salute our colleague Nick,” said RSG Steering Committee member Terry Cline, Oklahoma Secretary of Health and Human Services, “and are pleased Governing magazine has recognized the outstanding commitment, enthusiasm, and leadership he demonstrates every day.”