Title
Appoint Caroline Kennedy, MD as interim Health Officer effective February 1, 2013, at 5:00 p.m.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Appoint Caroline Kennedy, MD as interim Health Officer effective February 1, 2013, at 5:00 p.m.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Monterey County's current Health Officer, Lisa B. Hernandez's, MD, MPH. Dr. Hernandez has notified the Health Department that the last day of her employment with the County of Monterey shall be February 1, 2013. The County Health Department opened recruitment for this position on January 9, 2013.
Each board of supervisors shall appoint a Health Officer who is a county officer. (Health & Safety Code, ยง 101000.) The Monterey County Director of Health recommends that the Board of Supervisors appoint Dr. Caroline Kennedy, Clinic Services Medical Director, as the County Interim Health Officer while the County recruits for the Health Officer position. As Interim Health Officer, Dr. Kennedy will be responsible for all mandated health officer functions including acting as Tuberculosis Controller, Communicable Disease Controller, and Sexually Transmitted Disease Controller.
Dr. Kennedy has been a Family Physician with the County since June 2005. During her tenure with the County, Dr. Kennedy has served as the Medical Director of the Laurel Family Practice Clinic from September 2005 through August 2010 and has been the Health Department's Medical Director since August 2010. Dr. Kennedy earned her Doctor of Medicine from the University of Washington, School of Medicine and completed her medical residency at Natividad Medical Center with an emphasis on inpatient medicine and obstetrics
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
FINANCING:
This action will not result in an increase in Health Department General Fund since the cost of the position is included in Health Department's Fiscal Year 2012-13 Adopted Budget.
Prepared and Approved by: Ray Bullick, Director of Health, 4526