May 29, 2013 -- Dr. Mel Kohn, 53, is stepping down as public health director of the state’s Public Health Division on August 1. Having spent the past 14 years at the division, including a nine-year stint as the state’s public health officer, Kohn said, “It’s time for me to explore some new professional challenges. At this point in my career, if I want to do something new and different, this is the time. I have a strong record and legacy to build on.”
He intends to remain temporary with the Oregon Health Authority, working with its director, Dr. Bruce Goldberg, as a senior advisor for public health and also ensure a smooth transition for his successor who has not yet been named.
Nationally, Kohn said, Oregon’s Public Health Division is very well respected, Kohn said, because of its excellent work and incredible staff – despite being a small state. “I’m proud to have been part of that and am confident that it bodes well for our future.”
Kohn praised his colleagues at the Division for many of the accomplishments during his tenure which included:
. We were active participants in the first steps of health system transformation and the Early Learning Council, and now we’re poised to do even more in these areas in the future.
- We led the state’s response to numerous communicable disease outbreaks, including the H1N1 pandemic.
- We have substantially grown our capacity to address chronic diseases and injuries, the leading causes of death and disability for Oregonians.
- We strengthened and focused our regulatory programs.
- We have begun rebuilding our EMS and trauma systems.
- We built the Oregon Environmental Public Health Tracking Network and the Oregon Violent Death Reporting System.
- We modernized and “electronified” our vital records systems.
- We worked with numerous partners to create a vision for a home visiting system that leverages the contributions of agencies and organizations across the state.
- We built and have grown a statewide public health preparedness system.
- We reorganized the Division to better meet the public health threats and opportunities of the future.
- And, we enhanced the working relationships across state and local public health and built a joint leadership team to guide our system moving forward.
Diane Lund-Muzikant can be reached at [email protected]
