Residents urge review of county medical director as commissioners review contracts

Dozens of residents, health professionals and community leaders addressed the Human Services Committee Thursday about the county medical director and the county health department's direction, offering sharply divergent views that left the matter unresolved and flagged for board action.

Deb Roberts, a retired registered nurse, urged commissioners not to renew the medical director's contract, saying the county needs "thoughtful, respectful leadership" that builds trust with staff and the public. Several nurses and a hotline-review committee memo were read into the record alleging repeated staff complaints and what the memo described as a "toxic or threatening work environment," and asked the board to commission an impartial investigation.

Other speakers, including local pastors and physicians, defended the medical director, arguing that scientific guidance evolves and urging the board to respect clinical judgment. Pastor Bill Davis said vaccinations "have saved lives," while other commenters argued for parental choice. Physician speakers cited concerns about the director's public statements and local impacts on immunization programs, with one speaker noting clinic-level vaccination gaps presented at a regional immunization coalition meeting.

The hotline-review memo was summarized in open comment and said that HR interviews, employee statements and inquiries from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) were attached; it urged the board to "conduct a thorough and impartial investigation and take appropriate action." The memo also noted that committee members reviewing hotline reports felt they could not resolve the matters by direct communication because of current board actions.

Administrator Thomas (identified in the meeting record as handling contracts) told the committee that he is "still working on contracts, currently ready to have them reviewed by legal," that options for separating the health officer and medical director roles are being drafted, and that he expects an actionable item for the June meeting. He said he had met with both the health officer and the medical director and with corporation counsel to prepare the package.

The committee did not take final personnel action during the meeting. Instead, administrators and counsel will continue legal review and prepare contract and job-description options for the board to consider at a later meeting. Members of the public asked for transparency, protection for whistleblowers and clear criteria for any personnel decisions.

Next steps: County staff will complete legal review of contract options and present an actionable item to the Board of Commissioners at a future meeting (administrator indicated June). Members of the public requested that any investigation or personnel review be impartial and that summary findings be made public to the extent allowed by law.