A Note From Stephanie Smiley
It’s November—a time to reflect and express and feel gratitude for the good in the world. To say 2020 has been hard is an understatement. What has unfolded has been very heavy—a pandemic, a reckoning with systemic racism and racial injustices, record unemployment, on top of behavioral health and substance use disorder crises and the other public health challenges in Wisconsin. And while our work is never easy, it has been particularly difficult as public health practitioners this year. That said, we can feel all of this and we can also be grateful for what is good in the world. It is a perfect reminder to me to share my deepest gratitude with you all for the continued strength and perseverance that you and your staff have displayed this year.
I am in awe of the unquestionable courage and character of you all. As public health officials, you have repeatedly needed to deliver bad news that has sparked fear, frustration, anxiety and criticism. And despite all of this, you and your staff have risen to the occasion and continue to do what you can to battle through this. It is easy to think about all of the work that isn’t getting done because many of our efforts have been focused on the pandemic, but I encourage you all to take a moment with me to reflect about what we have accomplished this year and celebrate what you are most proud of. There is so much good!
What am I proud of? I am proud to have had the opportunity over the past five months, since accepting my temporary assignment as Interim State Health Officer and Administrator for the Division of Public Health, of working with you all collectively (and individually). I have said, and will continue to tell anyone who will listen, that we have amazing public health officials in Wisconsin. I am grateful for the experience to have been able to provide leadership in this space, and I want to share with you that my 20 year career at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services is coming to a close.
This will be my last update to you all as I have accepted a position outside of state service in order to focus more energy towards my health and my family—aspects of my life that I have neglected for far too long. My last day with the department will be November 11, 2020. Moving forward, Julie Willems Van Dijk will be the Interim State Health Officer, and Chuck Warzecha, will be the Interim Administrator and Deputy Administrator for the Division of Public Health until this position can be permanently filled. Melanie Schmidt and Ruth Sullivan will continue to be your points of contact for the COVID-19 Response Team, and Traci DeSalvo will serve as Interim Director of the Bureau of Communicable Diseases.
Thank you for your strength, your commitment, and for your service. Wisconsin is extremely fortunate to have so many knowledgeable, credible, and experienced people in the state working on their behalf—and I could not be more proud to have served alongside you all.
With sincerest gratitude,
Stephanie Smiley
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