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New St. Lawrence County public health director 'a welcome addition'

Posted 2/1/18

By JIMMY LAWTON St. Lawrence County Administrator Ruth Doyle says the new public health director is a welcome addition to the county staff and brings a wealth of experience to the table. Dana McGuire …

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New St. Lawrence County public health director 'a welcome addition'

Posted

By JIMMY LAWTON

St. Lawrence County Administrator Ruth Doyle says the new public health director is a welcome addition to the county staff and brings a wealth of experience to the table.

Dana McGuire was recently named as the new director of public health, replacing Jim Rich.

Doyle says McGuire is an epidemiologist who holds a doctorate in physical therapy from Drexel University, with an MBA from Clarkson University. She lives in Hannawa Falls and comes to the county after working with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as an epidemic intelligence service officer in Atlanta, Ga.

Doyle says she has worked as a program director in the Physical Therapy Department at Nazareth College, and taught in the physical therapy programs at Ithaca College, Utica College, University of Rochester, and locally at Clarkson University. She has worked as the director of clinical education in the Physical Therapy Department for Clarkson as well. She will begin with the county in a couple of weeks.

"St. Lawrence County is pleased to have identified a remarkable candidate as the new director of public health in the search led by a collaborative effort of members from the Board of Health and the Board of Legislators. The background and experience she brings to the Public Health Department will refine the efforts of the talented staff in place and provide for implementation of the public health policies put forward by the Board of Health,” Doyle said. “The appointment of a County Public Health Director is contingent on approval by the New York State Department of Health and they have been great partners throughout this process. We are excited to welcome Dana McGuire to the exceptional senior staff at St. Lawrence County."

McGuire will start no later than Feb. 12 with a salary of $96,204. McGuire’s hire will include a six-month review before becoming a permanent and also requires approval from the New York State Department of Health.

St. Lawrence County searched for months to find a replacement for former director Rich, who was employed by the county from July 12, 2015 to Sept. 8, 2017. Rich was suspended from his duties from June 8, 2016 until August 2016. Officials said Rich “separated from employment with the county,” but did not resign from his position. He was earning a salary of $87,349.