Pettit-Majewski resigns as Public Health head

Washington County Public Health Director Danielle Pettit-Majewski is resigning from her post.

At its regular monthly meeting Thursday, the Washington County Board of Health accepted her resignation, which she submitted July 8.

“I really appreciate the opportunity to serve this community,” a tearful Pettit-Majewski said during the meeting.

She said she is taking a position in the field of public health in Johnson County.

In an interview following the meeting, she reflected on her time leading Washington County Public Health.

“We made so many great partnerships,” she said. “I’ve learned so much from the staff.

“It’s bittersweet. I’m excited for the opportunity to grow and to try something new, but it’s still bittersweet.”

Pettit-Majewski has been the county’s public health director since March 2013.

Over the past year, she has often clashed with the Board of Supervisors over the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to her job as public health director, she serves on the Washington City Council.

She declined to discuss whether she will maintain that seat.

Following Pettit-Majewski’s announcement, the board discussed how to go about hiring a new director.

Burdette Ogden, regional community health consultant with the Iowa Department of Health, explained that there are four options:

• Merge with another agency.

• Share a director with another agency.

• Align with the hospital for public health services.

• Hire a new director.

Ogden said that the department may be too large for either of the first two options.

“You are a very large agency and well known across the state of Iowa,” she said.

She noted that, in the past, there was little interest in aligning with the hospital.

Ogden said that the hiring process could take several months.

“You’re probably looking at early November or possibly even Thanksgiving before you have someone in place,” she said.

Ogden suggested the board consider naming an interim director, preferable someone from outside the department in case someone from the department becomes a candidate for the director position.

“An interim director would be able to help you guide your ship in the short term,” she said.

Board Chair Cathy Buffington said that she had a discussion with Jefferson County Public Health Director Chris Estle about possibly serving as interim director.

“She was receptive to the idea,” Buffington said.