ATLANTA — Fulton County is getting a new health director this week, one who will be asked to step into the middle of the coronavirus response in the jurisdiction with the most cases in Georgia.
Dr. S. Elizabeth Ford revealed in a digital board of commissioners meeting that she was returning to her primary posting in DeKalb County. She has held that position and the interim director title of the Fulton County Board of Health for the last year.
She said the Georgia Department of Public Health commissioner, Dr. Kathleen Toomey, had identified and would appoint Dr. Lynn Paxton.
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"I'm running two counties ... as I try to manage this burden they have requested I be returned back to DeKalb, and so I have been trying to hold out on that until a replacement was identified," Dr. Ford said during the meeting.
"Dr. Toomey identified Dr Lynn Paxton who is a captain in the Corps, a CDC employee, an internist, she has an MPH (master's degree in public health) - Princeton, Berkeley, UCSF residency, has worked in Tanzania, Uganda. Extremely qualified."
Dr. Ford said Dr. Paxton would start Thursday. She said she would "assist her in becoming oriented the next few weeks."
"I've appreciated my time here ... it's been a pleasure to work with you all, I hope Dr. Paxton has the same level of courtesy that I have been met with here. I wish you all well, it's been great working with you."
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