Board Members

The Southern Nevada Health District is governed by a thirteen member policy-making board composed of:

• Two representatives of the Board of County Commissioners
• Two representatives of the governing body of the largest incorporated city in the county
• One representative of the governing body of each other city in the county
• Five at-large members, including:
• Two physicians
• One registered nurse
• One environmental specialist
• One member of a business/industry regulated by the health district

As such, it represents a unique consolidation of the public health needs of Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite, North Las Vegas and Clark County, as well as minority groups and other medically underserved populations and businesses/industries, into one regulating body.

Members of the district board of health serve terms of two years. Vacancies must be filled in the same manner as the original selection for the remainder of the unexpired term.

The Southern Nevada District Board of Health, through policy development and direction to staff, identifies public health needs and, as mandated by County Ordinance 163, establishes priorities on behalf of local taxpayers, residents, tourists/visitors, and the commercial service industry,:

“to establish and conduct a comprehensive program of health which shall include the promotion of environmental health, exclusive of air quality matters, maternal and child health, control of communicable diseases and the further programming of the prolonging of life and the promotion of the well-being of the people of Clark County” (Subsection b of Section 6).

The Southern Nevada Health District is one of the largest local public health districts in the nation. It serves a population of 1,744,946 representing 69 percent of the state’s population and an average of 471,201 tourists daily, with a staff of approximately 500 employees working in four divisions. Public health services are available to everyone, regardless of income. Its mission:

“to protect and promote the health, the environment and the well being of Clark County residents and visitors.”

View the Southern Nevada District Board of Health Bylaws

Lawrence K. Sands, D.O., M.P.H.
Chief Health Officer

Dr. Sands, Chief Health Officer for the Southern Nevada Health District, has 20 years of experience in public health, preventive medicine and health planning and administration.

He received his undergraduate Bachelor of Science Degree with Distinction in Zoology from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, his D.O. from Midwestern University/Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine and his Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) in health planning and administration from the University of Michigan School of Public Health.

Prior to his present position, he served as the founding Director of the newly created Division of Community Health (2005-2007) and Assistant Health Officer before transitioning to Chief Health Officer. Before relocating to Southern Nevada, Dr. Sands worked for the Maricopa County Department of Public Health in Phoenix for nine years as the Director of Chronic Disease and Tobacco Control, Medical Director for the Division of Epidemiology and Bio-Defense Preparedness and Response, and the Director of Community Health Services. He also worked for the Arizona Department of Health Services as the State Epidemiologist and Medical Director for Epidemiology and Disease Control, Acting Assistant Director of Disease Prevention Services and Chief of the Office of Infectious Disease Services, providing seven years of service. Dr. Sands began his career in Michigan where he was in private practice.

Dr. Sands is Board Certified by the American Board of Preventive Medicine; a Clark County Medical Society Delegate to the Nevada State Medical Association (NSMA) and a diplomat to the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners. He has been an active member of various professional and civic organizations throughout his career; made countless presentations to professional and community groups; and has authored scientific publications and received many awards in recognition of his work as a public health physician.