AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- While the COVID-19 pandemic isn't quite over yet, several leaders in the local response effort to the pandemic are transitioning to new roles.
Dr. Mark Escott, who has served as Interim Health Authority for Austin and Travis County since October 2019, and has served as Medical Director for Austin-Travis County EMS since 2016, will transition into a full-time role as the City of Austin's Chief Medical Officer.
Escott, in a letter to city and county leaders Thursday, said that with COVID-19 cases improving locally, now is the time to make the move.
"In this role, I am excited to provide strategic alignment and oversight of the clinical services within the City of Austin while expanding upon the many health care partnerships that have been strengthened during the pandemic," Escott said. "I look forward to continuing to work with you and the new Health Authority to bridge the gaps in the availability of affordable health care and ensure that we address the deep disparities that persist in the impact of disease and injury in our community."
Escott is set to transition into his new role full-time on May 31. On that date, Dr. Desmar Walkes will take over the local health authority role along with becoming the city's new Medical Director.
“I’m honored to be joining the Austin Public Health team and look forward to the challenges and opportunities ahead as the next Medical Director and Health Authority for the City of Austin and Travis County,” Dr. Walkes said.
The local health authority role, by state statute, is responsible for "administering state and local laws relating to public health within the appointing body’s jurisdiction." For Austin Public Health, the role provides clinical oversight of medically related services rendered by APH and its more than 300 licensed professionals.
Walkes, who has held the health authority role in Bastrop County since 2007, will report to the director of Austin Public Health. Stephanie Hayden-Howard, who has been in the role since May 2017 and has been with the City of Austin since 2001, is also moving into a new role - as Assistant City Manager for Health & Environment and Culture & Lifelong Learning, beginning May 10.
In addition to oversight of Austin Public Health, Hayden-Howard will also begin overseeing Austin Parks & Recreation and Austin Resource Recovery, as well as the library and animal services departments - a portfolio of departments that represents $394 million of the city's budget and more than 2,600 full-time equivalent employees.
A search for a new director for Austin Public Health will begin soon, officials said. Current APH Assistant Director Adrienne Stirrup will serve as interim director while the search is ongoing.
