After two finalists declined gives, county officers are nonetheless trying to find a brand new well being officer to fill the emptiness created when Dr. Travis Gayles left in September 2021.
James Bridgers, who was deputy well being officer below Gayles, has served in an performing function since then.
County officers mentioned on Wednesday that each finalists cited the present political surroundings surrounding public well being as one purpose they didn’t settle for the well being officer place.
Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Earl Stoddard mentioned that features each the native surroundings and nationwide political ambiance surrounding well being officers and comparable officers.
“Dr. Gayles confronted hate speech instantly … and so we’re not proof against it domestically,” Stoddard mentioned. “However I feel a part of the nationwide tenor has influenced that as a result of … a lot of the general public well being infrastructure spending is funded by federal {dollars}. And so you may even see future politics concerned in what’s funded, and the way it’s funded or restrictions which might be positioned on public well being, on the federal degree.”
Gayles couldn’t instantly be reached for remark through two telephone calls or textual content message on Wednesday.
He has not too long ago testified throughout invoice hearings earlier than state lawmakers in Annapolis concerning the abuse he skilled as a well being officer, and spoke in help of additional protections for individuals in these jobs.
County Government Marc Elrich informed reporters Wednesday that the well being officer emptiness isn’t distinctive to Montgomery County. He agreed with Gayles that there needs to be protections for many who would possibly face political opposition.
“Except that particular person’s off the reservation and suggesting individuals drink Clorox in an effort to kill the virus … I feel well being officers needs to be higher protected,” Elrich mentioned.
He and Stoddard added that it is going to be essential to rent a well being officer who not solely offers with the coronavirus pandemic, but additionally all the public well being system, starting from hospitals to group well being companions. There’s a want to assist individuals with pre-existing situations and different well being points, they mentioned.
Stoddard mentioned the county needs to seek out the suitable particular person, and there are various succesful well being officers serving Montgomery County now.
“I do suppose it’s essential to have a well being officer from a management perspective … and to coordinate these actions extra successfully,” Stoddard mentioned. “However on the finish of the day … there’s a number of public well being experience in Montgomery County, that has been in all probability battle-tested greater than we choose that they have been within the final two years.”
Steve Bohnel might be reached at steve.bohnel@bethesdamagazine.com
