King County Executive Dow Constantine announced the winners of the 2023 Best-Run Government Awards on May 9, with eight King County employees, leaders, and teams recognized for their outstanding performance, leadership, and innovation.

In a surprise ceremony, Executive Constantine announced that Danotra McBride, Director of Jail Health Services, was the winner of the 2023 Fred Jarrett Leadership Excellence Award, the awards’ highest honor.

The Fred Jarrett Leadership Excellence Award – named for former Deputy Executive Fred Jarrett, the driving force behind Lean and continuous improvement for nine years at the County – is presented to a senior county leader who embodies King County’s True North and values, and incorporates them into their processes, decision-making, and teams.

A 22-year King County employee – the last four of which she has served as Jail Health Services director – Danotra has helped set the standard for high quality medical care for people incarcerated in King County’s jails and improving their health, safety, and well-being.

The Executive cited Danotra’s transparency and openness as a leader, her “one King County” mindset, her commitment to continuous improvement, and her collaborative approach to partnering with other agencies to deliver measurable results.

“She has led Jail Health for the last four years, proving herself to be an open and collaborative leader who is always looking for what can be improved, using data and process mapping to understand root causes,” Executive Constantine said.

Two significant Jail Health achievements under Danotra’s leadership are its response to the opioid crisis for people in custody and the recent healthcare services reaccreditation of the King County Correctional Facility.

“Jail Health has brought innovation and a laser focus to the opioid crisis by developing and maintaining a medically assisted treatment program to help people manage withdrawals and treat their addiction while in custody, setting them on a path toward sobriety upon their release,” Executive Constantine said.

This year, the National Commission on Correctional Healthcare reaccredited the King County Correctional Facility for its healthcare services. Of the 39 essential standards applicable to the facility, all 39 were found to be in full compliance, an exceptional result well above and beyond what is required to maintain accreditation.

As a leader, Danotra believes in building accountability in others by “leading the way” and modelling our values and the behaviors that support them. She values her staff and all they do to provide high quality care to their patients, always making herself available for checking in on issues and ideas. Even with what can be difficult work, she brings a warm, optimistic attitude and approach.

And she is a strong advocate of equity, racial and social justice in Jail Health and the importance of advancing pro-equity and anti-racism work for the people in our facilities and their families, and the employees who care for them.

“Congratulations Danotra and thank you for being an exceptional leader,” Executive Constantine said. “Congratulations to all the winners and nominees and thank you for your hard work and innovative thinking.”

Previously known as the Performance Excellence Awards, the Best-Run Government Awards recognize exceptional contributions to performance, leadership, and innovation in eight categories: five innovation awards – people, cost, service, climate and environmental stewardship, and equity, racial and social justice – and three leadership awards – for people leaders, individual contributors, and the Fred Jarrett Leadership Excellence Award for senior leaders. The name was changed to the Best-Run Government Awards in 2024 to reflect efforts to become a Best-Run Government, King County’s commitment to continuously improve the equity, efficiency, and effectiveness of how it operates.