Public health officer: 'Gravely concerned about the level of trauma we have experienced' - Manistee News Advocate

BENZIE COUNTY — The futures of the Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department and the Health Department of Northwest Michigan are uncertain after Lisa Peacock announced her resignation from both departments in a letter Tuesday.

In the letter, Peacock cited an increasingly toxic relationship between her and the Health Department of Northwest Michigan Board of Commissioners as the main reason for her resignation as the health officer for both health departments which oversee six counties including Antrim, Charlevoix, Ostego, Emmit, Benzie and Leelanau counties.

Gary Sauer, a commissioner on the Benzie-Leelanau board of health, said he's not concerned at the moment about Peacock's resignation but he said that might change.

He cited the possibility that the board of health for the Health Department of Northwest Michigan could vote to terminate their contract but he's hoping that doesn't happen. He said that the board of health for the Health Department of Northwest Michigan is meeting next week.

He noted that the Benzie-Leelanau have six months to hire a health officer if their contract with their Health Department of Northwest Michigan were to be terminated. If a new health officer is chosen, nothing will change in terms of the current contract, which also includes the medical director for the Health Department of Northwest Michigan.

As for Lisa Peacock's decision, he's a little disappointed. "It's her decision. I understand all the pressure she was under and sometimes moving on is the best decision. I have nothing bad to say about Lisa."

For her part, Peacock noted that despite what she has faced, her situation was not particularly unique. She said that she was not the only health officer in Michigan or the country at large who has faced increased hostility from politicians and the public alike.

"I am not the only health officer or medical director who has faced similar difficulties, Peacock said. "It is unfortunate that there are so many forces working against public health at this time. Public health workers are not politicians and typically take their roles and duties very seriously, wanting nothing more than to protect the health and well-being of the public. It is an exciting and challenging field in health care — the whole community is your “patient.”

She noted that she hopes her experiences will not be the future for public health leaders, but that she is concerned about what she and other public leaders have faced over the past two years.

"I can’t speak for future leaders, but I hope we see people with a passion for this work standing up to take the torch and communities getting behind them and supporting them. I am gravely concerned about the level of trauma we have experienced and the impact that will have on our current workforce."