Rabinowitz Named as Interim Health Officer

Ellen Rabinowitz has been appointed as interim health officer for Washtenaw County, in action taken by the county board of commissioners at its Nov. 6, 2013 meeting. She currently serves as executive director of the Washtenaw Health Plan, a job that she’ll continue to hold.

The appointment is spurred by the retirement of current health officer Dick Fleece, effective Dec. 28. The position is mandated by the state, and requires a graduate degree and 5 years of full-time public health administration. Responsibilities include overseeing the county’s public health department.

According to a memo that accompanied the appointment resolution, the interim status will allow for time to make a decision about the permanent appointment. Both the interim and permanent appointments require approval by the state Dept. of Community Health. The staff memo also states that any savings received during the interim appointment will go toward reducing the use of fund balance projected in the 2013/2014 public health budget.

Before the Nov. 6 vote, commissioners praised both Rabinowitz and Fleece for their service.

This brief was filed from the boardroom of the county administration building at 220 N. Main St. in Ann Arbor, where the board of commissioners holds its meetings. A more detailed report will follow: [link]