Dr. Rice Leach named 2016 Public Health Hero

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department’s Board of Health has selected Commissioner of Health Dr. Rice Leach as the 2016 Public Health Hero. The award is given annually to individuals who have demonstrated their dedication to improving the health of Lexington residents. The award is typically given each April as part of National Public Health Week (April 4-10) but was scheduled earlier this year because Dr. Leach has entered hospice care while battling cancer.

“When your peers recognize you, there’s nothing like it,” Dr. Leach said upon receiving the award. “And when your peers you love recognize you, it’s got to be the best.”

Dr. Leach has been Lexington’s Commissioner of Health since March 2011. He has been instrumental in helping the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department receiving national accreditation from the Public Health Accreditation Board, making it one of the first in the country to receive the honor. Under Dr. Leach’s guidance, the department also launched the city’s first needle-exchange program in 2015, designed to curb the potential spread of HIV and Hepatitis C among injecting drug users.

Dr. Leach will be recognized at 6 p.m. at the March 17 Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council meeting.