UPDATE: Health department reopens commissioner search; doc doesn’t accept job

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department is reopening its search for a new health director after the candidate offered the job last week didn’t accept.

In a brief statement Wednesday afternoon, the Health Department said: “The Lexington-Fayette County Board of Health will re-open the search for a new Commissioner of Health as candidate Dr. Joan Duwve has not accepted the position.”

Thye department didn’t give a reason for the rejection or any details about discussions with Duwve about the job. She has held health positions in Indiana and was the top South Carolina health official for six months last year and took and then rejected the top job in Ohio over armed threats the previous director there had received. She now is a health consultant in Kansas, according to her resume.

ORIGINAL STORY POSTED 8 P.M. JUNE 22, 2021

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – After a months-long search, the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department could have a new director.

Tuesday, the health board voted to offer the top position to Dr.  Joan Duwve. If she accepts the position, she will replace replace Dr. Kraig Hambaugh, who is retiring after leading the department since 2016, including the last 16 months during the pandemic.

A search committee recommended Duwve, who is currently a consultant for the Kansas Department of Health and has been a top health official in South Carolina and Indiana.

She was named the state health director in Ohio last summer but then rejected the job because of threats and armed protests against the prior health director related to COVID decisions.