Lee Out as Prowers County Public Health Director

Justin & Charlene Lee

The Prowers County Commissioners are beginning a search for a new Director of Public Health for the County, following their contract termination of Justin Lee in that position this past Friday.  The commissioners held an executive session meeting regarding his employment last Friday morning, May 31. 

Commission Chairman, Joe Marble, told The Prowers Journal that the commissioners believed the move was in the best interests for the county, but did not offer any specifics.  “We have some options for a new director,” Marble said.  “When we were searching for a replacement for Jackie Brown, we considered a regionalization director,” he stated.   Marble explained that one option will be to sub-contract with another county and employ their health director to provide service to the Prowers County Public Health Department.  The other option will be to find a director who will be employed exclusively by the county.  Lee had been employed by a Denver medical group as their director for clinical research.  He holds a Masters Degree in Public Health.

Lee was hired in October, 2012 to replace Jackie Brown as county health director.  She announced her resignation from the position effective the end of last August after 22 years in that position.  Marble did not say when the search for a new director would begin.

By Russ Baldwin