Gene O'Hara to Serve as Interim Director of Health Department
Published on August 18, 2022
After stepping in during the COVID-19 pandemic to assist the county with administrative management at the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment, director Mark Lawley has informed the board of commissioners his final day will be September 1, 2022.
“Lawley did a strong job of managing the department during the most trying public health emergency in our time,” said Commissioner Chair Scott James. “The board truly appreciates the leadership and experience he brought to the position, and we wish him all the best as he moves on to his next endeavor.”
The board has directed staff to begin a national search, assisted by a third-party search firm, for a new executive director later this month.
“We have great staff at the health department who has done incredible work not only during the pandemic but also with the day-to-day issues and tasks they must complete. We want to make sure the person we hire for the director position is the best possible fit to support this team and carry their success forward,” said James.
In the meantime, long-time healthcare executive Gene O’Hara has agreed to step in as the interim director while the county conducts their search for a permanent replacement.
“We are honored to have Gene serve in this position,” said James. “He brings a wealth of knowledge in healthcare administration and will be a great addition to our health team while we conduct our search.”
O’Hara, who has a Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from the University of Colorado, served as the Chief Executive Officer for North Colorado Medical Center from 2004-2009 and as the Chief Executive Officer for the Colorado Plains Medical Center from 2014-2018. In between those positions, he also served as Vice President of Market Operations and Business Strategies for VHA Mountain States and Adjunct Professor and Director of the Monfort Executive Professor Program at the College of Business at the University of Northern Colorado.