MARTIN, JORGE , 90, died peacefully on Friday, May 1, 2009. Born in Costa Rica, he lived in the Caribbean and New York before becoming a resident of Orlando in 1969. Mr. Martin is survived by his beloved wife Andrea; daughters, Linda Ochs (James), Dawn Martin (Michael Hamlin), Jeannette Martin; grandchildren, Sherri Cremer (Scott), Joy […]
Meet the group helping with COVID-19 decisions in Shawnee County In recent weeks, the Shawnee County Health Department was combating record-high COVID-19 numbers, all while losing key members of its staff. Departures from department director Linda Ochs and health officer Gianfranco Pezzino came during important months of the pandemic, but the health department has continued reviewing COVID-19 data as it prepares for vaccine distribution in the coming months. Even though these important positions are changing hands, the Shawnee County COVID-19 Incident Response Team has continued its work. “The Incident Command System is a standardized hierarchical structure that allows for a cooperative response by multiple agencies, both within and outside of government, to organize and coordinate response activities without compromising the decision-making authority of local command,” said a document outlining the groups responsibilities.
Dennis Cooley appointed interim Shawnee County health officer Dennis Cooley will serve as the interim Shawnee County health officer until the end of the year. “I want to thank Dr. Cooley for his willingness to step into this role for a short period of time,” said Commissioner Aaron Mays. It has been a rough year for everyone. I know he has been along with us for this ride. The Shawnee County commissioners approved Cooley’s appointment as health officer to replace former health officer Gianfranco Pezzino, who abruptly resigned after the commissioners made two amendments to his health order on Monday.
Shawnee County health officer Gianfranco Pezzino resigned immediately after Shawnee County commissioners amended his health order before approving it Monday. Pezzino was frustrated by the changes, saying he can’t “in full conscience” continue to work for Commissioners Bill Riphahn, Aaron Mays and Kevin Cook. Pezzino’s departure was planned but came earlier than expected. He said in October he wouldn t renew his contract at the end of this year, but resigned weeks before his replacement was going to arrive. Who makes the COVID-19 decisions without Pezzino? The health department said in a news release Monday it was “assessing the impact of Dr. Pezzino’s resignation on current SCHD operations.” While Pezzino was important to COVID-19 decisionmaking, he wasn’t the only person making decisions at the department.
A frustrated Gianfranco Pezzino resigned early from the health department. What happens now? - News - The Topeka Capital-Journal cjonline.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from cjonline.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Dr. Dennis Cooley was tasked with helping search for the county’s new health officer, but after Gianfranco Pezzino’s abrupt resignation, Cooley himself could serve as the interim health officer while the county searches for a long-term replacement. The health department announced Tuesday in a news release that Cooley would be appointed interim health officer pending approval by the Shawnee County Commission. Cooley currently serves on the county’s health advisory board, which was created by the commissioners to assist them in health-related decisions. The health advisory board is made up of five people who were searching for Pezzino s replacement after he announced in October he wouldn t renew his contract at the end of the year.