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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, October 1, 2002
| Contact: |
Don Krupp, Chief Administrative Officer, 360-786-5440 |
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Sherri
McDonald, Director-Public Health and Social Services, 360-786-5581 |
Sherri
McDonald Named Health Director
OLYMPIA – Interim director Sherri McDonald has
been named director of Thurston County’s Public Health and Social Services
Department. McDonald had been
deputy director of the department and was named to the interim post at the end
of July when former director Pat Libbey left to accept a new job in Washington
D. C.
Thurston County Chief Administrative Officer Don
Krupp says choosing McDonald for the director’s position was not a difficult
decision. “Sherri has done a
wonderful job in the deputy director’s position and she can maintain
continuity in a department that is a leader in the state.
She also has extensive background in community health care from earlier
positions she held before she came to Thurston County.
We are looking forward to her leadership in the department and her
guidance as the community faces important health care issues.”
McDonald says she appreciates the faith put in
her as she accepts the leadership position.
“I am excited to be chosen to head up Public Health and Social
Services. I hope to build on Pat
Libbey’s legacy of community involvement and his reputation of taking health
care services directly to the people most affected. We have an outstanding staff in the department and utilizing
their talents wisely will make my job easier.”
McDonald sees a number of challenging issues
facing the department. “There
are issues around mental health and chemical dependency that have to be dealt
with in ways that provide the proper level of assistance for the clients,
while helping to preserve community security.
An emerging issue is emergency preparedness in the wake of biological
warfare threats. And, of course,
we need to tackle these issues at a time when revenues are declining.
It’s quite a full plate, but I’m happy to be at the table.”
The Public Health and Social Services Department
has an annual budget of 35 million dollars and administers forty programs in
the community. There are 125
employees in the Department. McDonald
assumes the director’s position immediately.
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