The new chair of the Fayette County Board of Health envisions growth of medical services and education through collaborations.
Majd Jabbour, the practice manager in ambulatory pediatrics at UK, started his Board of Health leadership tenure this month. He began serving on the board in 2019. Jabbour admits there were divided opinions about the role of public health in the height of the COVID pandemic.
"You saw there was always arguments and there’s discussion and some people lost their faith in public health. Some people had more faith in public health, but I think we need to be consistent in how we deliver the message," said Jabbour.
Jabbour said a humble message should be sent to bring people closer to public health. He said public health is not just responding to a pandemic but growing existing programs and building outreach. Jabbour thinks that can be accomplished in part by linking with other hospitals and area health departments.
The Lexington-Fayette Health Department has been without a permanent commissioner for well over a year. Dr. Sheila Owens-Collins was let go in April of 2023 after three months on the job. The previous health commissioner stayed six months. Jabbour said the search is ongoing but added he couldn’t comment about potential candidates that have been contacted.
“I do understand that there’s always anticipation and there’s always frustration whether it’s for the agency itself for staff, for employees and also for the people who work in public health who look toward our health department as like setting the standard,” said Jabbour.
Interim Chief Administrative Officer Jack Cornett is serving as acting commissioner. Jabbour said he hopes there will be answers soon as it relates to a new permanent Fayette Health Department Commissioner.
Here's the interview with Majd Jabour:
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