Lisa Peacock is the Health Officer for the Health Department of Northwest Michigan HDNW. She announced Tuesday that she will be stepping down effective April 29, 2022.
Peacock’s resignation letter stated that her resignation was “completely due” to the hostile work environment created by some members of the Department’s Board of Health.
The Emmet and Charlevoix, Otsego and Antrim counties are covered by the department of health. The eight-member Board of Health consists of two county commissioners, one from each of the four counties. Peacock will also be retiring as the health officer for Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department.
Peacock wrote that she intended to continue working until she was able to retire. Peacock stated that she had a solid succession plan but that some key members of her leadership team have resigned due to the stress of the current environment.
Peacock’s decision is the result of months of bitter fighting within her region over the K-12 school-mask mandate She authorized last August. Peacock LiftedLast week, the mandate was issued citing the availability and decline in COVID cases.
Peacock stated that it was impossible for her “to lead and support her employees in the face of ongoing efforts of the Board of Health, to damage this strong department of health and me as its leader.”
Peacock stated that she was most disappointed by the retaliation she received for issuing a Public Health Order aimed at protecting children and school staff.
Peacock wrote, “I am extremely discouraged by the board member who have questioned me integrity and intentions and have even expressed the belief that I deserve all the abuse they have received.” “The public attacks and campaign to humiliate me at public meetings are something that I don’t have the strength for, and no reasonable professional would either.”
Peacock’s tenure ended last fall Survived a failed attempta few Board members to fire her for violating her mask mandate.
Peacocks are available in October. Filled a complaintMichigan Attorney General Dana Nessel accused board members using intimidation tactics in order to get her to remove her mask order. Also, they allowed threatening behavior to be displayed in public meetings.
Charlie MacInnis from Emmet County, one of two commissioners on the Northwest Michigan Board of Health, stated that Peacock has done an outstanding job protecting public health.
“Her letter [of resignation]MacInnis stated that MacInnis captured the environment in which she was finding herself very accurately. “I am deeply saddened by what she has endured.”
The board president declined to comment about a personnel matter. The six other members of the board did not respond to a request for comment.
Norm Hess serves as the executive director for the Michigan Association for Local Public Health. This association represents the 45 Michigan health departments. He said Peacock was a dedicated public official and that it’s a sad thing that she is retiring.
Hess stated, “I am very worried for the public healthcare workforce going forward.” “People at all levels have been subjected abuse.”
