Rabinowitz Appointed County Health Officer
Ellen Rabinowitz has been appointed as health officer for the Washtenaw public health department, after serving in that position on an interim basis since late last year. The appointment, effective May 19, was made by the county board of commissioners on May 7, 2014.
Ellen Rabinowitz at a Feb. 5, 2014 meeting of the county board of commissioners. She was appointed as the county’s public health officer on May 7, after serving in that role on an interim basis for several months.
Rabinowitz will receive a salary of $126,098. That salary includes her role as executive director of the Washtenaw Health Plan, a job she’s held for 11 years.
A staff memo notes that the county will see a savings of $30,266 in personnel costs as a result of this appointment. The salary will be covered by the public health department (80%) and the Washtenaw Health Plan (20%). Fleece’s salary was covered in full by the public health department.
The county board appointed Rabinowitz as interim health officer on Nov. 6, 2013. The appointment was spurred by the retirement of former health officer Dick Fleece, effective Dec. 28, 2013.
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. [.pdf of Rabinowitz resume]
This brief was filed from the boardroom of the county administration building at 220 N. Main St. in Ann Arbor. A more detailed report will follow: [link]