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TextNew Acting Health Director Appointed In Fairfax County
Office of Public Affairs
12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 551
Fairfax, VA 22035-0065
703-324-3187
Feb. 26, 2003
New Acting Health Director Appointed
In Fairfax County
Fairfax County Executive Anthony H. Griffin has appointed Dr. Gloria Addo Ayensu, MD, MPH as acting director of the Fairfax County Department of Health. She succeeds Dr. Carol Sharrett, MD, MPH, who will be continuing her service to Fairfax County residents on a part-time basis as assistant health director.
Since October 2001, Dr. Addo Ayensu, has held the position of assistant health director, where she provided medical direction for the agency's emergency preparedness and communicable diseases programs. She joined the Fairfax County Health Department in November 1999 as assistant health director for the Mount Vernon District Office of the Fairfax County Health Department.
Dr. Addo Ayensu earned her medical degree from Tulane University School of Medicine in 1994 after receiving her master's in public health in international health from Tulane School of Public Health in 1989. Following her residency training in clinical preventive medicine from Loma Linda University Medical Center, she joined the Loma Linda University Preventive Medicine Faculty Group from 1996-1999. During that period, she also served as a consultant for the San Bernardino County STD program and the Riverside County HIV Early Intervention Program. She has a background in parasitology and has been involved in research and public health programs in her native country of Ghana.
As acting health director, Dr. Addo Ayensu will continue to lead the Health Department's bioterrorism preparedness at the local and regional level. In addition, she will direct the planning and activities for an urban health department with 13 field sites plus the administrative office and a laboratory. She will also serve as the official health/medical advisor to the Board of Supervisors, Health Care Advisory Board, Human Services Council and local government officials as well as other community groups on all health related issues. Dr. Addo Ayensu will be responsible for an agency budget of approximately $38 million with a 555-member staff.
Dr. Addo Ayensu's appointment is effective March 1, 2003, and her salary will be $135,000 a year plus a supervising physician supplement of $15,000 per year.
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