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Anne
Thomas
Dare County Department of Public Health
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The winner of
the 2005 Health Director of the Year is Anne Thomas of Dare County.
Anne was nominated by Dr. Roger Sears, Chairman of the Dare County
Board of Health. In his nomination he wrote:
“Anne
has served as the local health director in Dare County since 1996.
During her tenure Anne has demonstrated a commitment and passion
for public health rivaled by few. She is a champion of the underdog
and has consistently gone the extra mile to ensure access to care
for populations of people often disenfranchised, overlooked or otherwise
ignored. She is motivated by doing the ‘right thing’
which has on occasion made her unpopular in certain arenas, but
simultaneously a leader that all of us at the Dare County Department
of Public Health are proud to call our own. Anne considers equity
and fairness in every decision she makes. She is a team player,
bridge builder, collaborator, innovative thinker and a visionary
leader and has acted as a champion for public health on many fronts.”
Anne had many
letters of support from other board of health members, local health
directors, the superintendent of Dare County schools and her management
team. Without fail each of her supporters listed her incredible ability
to collaborate and bring people together for the good of public health.
Some of Anne’s many accomplishments include:
- Stumpy Point
wastewater project feasibility study which resulted in a wastewater
treatment facility being built in an area where straight piping
raw sewage directly into the sound was a regular occurrence.
- The development
of Peer Power a comprehensive school health education and primary
prevention of chronic disease curriculum.
- Miles of smiles
mobile dental van which was also used in Hyde county
- Improved access
to health care though the development of the non-profit Community
Care Clinic of Dare County.
- Dare Respite
Care Program, an in-home respite care program for the frail, elderly
and shut-in population.
- Diabetes Education
and Management Program and
- Accreditation.
Dare County Health Department was one of the first Health Departments
in the state to be accredited.
Her management
team wrote:
“In
a span of nine years, Anne has taken Dare County’s Health
Department from rotary dial desk top phones and typewriters into
the information age. While this very real example is humorous (in
retrospect only) it serves as a metaphor for the evolutionary changes
our Health Department has undergone. By setting high standards and
holding each staff person individually accountable, yet empowered
with access to appropriate resources, Anne has effectively changed
the culture of our Health Department and the public’s perception
of the care and services we provide. She continually brings us back
to the heart of every issue and reminds us why we do what we do.
Her mantra of ‘always remember the public
in public health’ will undoubtedly echo through the halls
of Dare County’s Health Department for many years to come."
