Allegheny County Board of Health begins search for new director

The Allegheny County Board of Health has started the search for a new health department director.

Dr. Karen Hacker, 63, will step down July 31 to become director of the Centers for Disease Control National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.

She has led the county health department since 2013.

The nine-member search committee will be co-chaired by board of health member Edith Shapira, M.D. and Heinz Endowments President Grant Oliphant.

National executive search firm Krauthamer & Associates, Inc. will assist with the search.

“The Allegheny County Health Department has made great strides under Dr. Hacker’s leadership,” said Shapira. “We achieved national accreditation, deepened staff expertise, pursued more robust enforcement in multiple areas, and developed an ambitious strategic plan.”

Also joining the search committee are three other board of health members and four community members: Dr. Lee Harrison, Dr. Donald Burke, Joylette Portlock, Marc Cherna, Michelle Naccarati-Chapkis, Yvonne Cook and A. Everette James III.

The committee aims to select a new candidate within six months.

In the interim, Ronald A. Sugar, deputy director of administration, will serve as director.

Sugar has worked for the health department since 2014 and is currently responsible for daily operations.

Health clinics will be overseen by Dr. Kristen J. Mertz, medical epidemiologist for the health department. She has worked for the health department since 2014.