Sanmi Areola, PhD, is a public health leader with extensive experience in local and regional health administration. He currently serves as Director of Health for the Metro Public Health Department in Nashville, Tennessee, a role he assumed in 2025. Throughout his career, Dr. Areola has led efforts to improve community health outcomes, strengthen public health systems, and advance health equity.

Before returning to Nashville, Dr. Areola served as Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Health, Human Services, and Education in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Prior to that, he was Director of the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment in Kansas, where he oversaw the county’s public health response during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Areola is well known within Nashville’s public health community, having spent more than 17 years with the Metro Public Health Department in a variety of leadership roles, including Deputy Director and serving twice as Interim Director of Health. His leadership is grounded in a commitment to improving, protecting, and sustaining the physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being of all residents. As Director of Health, he is focused on ensuring that every member of the community has the opportunity to achieve their full potential for health and well-being.

---