New Ohio health director lacks qualifications required by law

[OhioChick]

Ohioans deserve a director of health with actual public health experience. State law requires the post be filled by a physician or “an individual who has had significant experience in the public health profession.” There is no evidence Gov. Mike DeWine’s pick, Stephanie McCloud, Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation administrator, fulfills this requirement (“Amid coronavirus outbreak, Gov. Mike DeWine announces restructuring and new leaders at Ohio Department of Health,” cleveland.com, Nov. 5).

Public health is a sprawling discipline that touches many facets of our lives. In the midst of a pandemic that has cost the lives of more than 5,000 Ohioans, now is not the time for on-the-job training. A director with a commanding grasp of public health on day one is critical.

Unfortunately, Ohio officials haven’t created a healthy or safe environment for strong public health talent to rise to the post. Dr. Amy Acton was bullied out of office, and what we lost shows in the exploding case counts we’ve seen since. Public health is often a thankless calling to begin with, and when faced with the prospect of armed protesters showing up at their homes, a hostile state legislature, and a governor who fails to stand up for science, it’s no surprise that finding a qualified pick has been next to impossible.

https://www.cleveland.com/letters/2020/11/new-ohio-health-director-lacks-qualifications-required-by-law.html