Ray (Bud) Nicola, MD, MHSA, FACPM
Public Health Management Certificate Coach

Bud Nicola is a coach for scholars in NWCPHP’s Public Health Management Certificate. Bud’s current focus is on performance management and quality improvement in public health, improving the effectiveness of small groups, systems thinking applied to public health issues, and on improving the public health system in the United States.

In addition to his work with NWCPHP, Bud is an Affiliate Professor at the University of Washington Department of Health Systems and Population Health in the School of Public Health where he teaches public health management.

In 2012, he retired from 21 years with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). He is a member of the King County Board of Health and the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB). Bud previously directed the Seattle King County Health Department in Seattle, Washington, the Tacoma Pierce County Health Department in Tacoma, Washington, and worked in several local health departments in Colorado.

Areas of Expertise: 
  • Leadership and management of public health organizations
  • Systems thinking
  • Public health accreditation