Allen County health commissioner Dr. Deb McMahan announced she would be retiring from her position in June, during the health’s board’s quarterly meeting Monday.
McMahan has served as the county’s health commissioner for 20 years, overseeing public health issues like smoking and opioid addiction. More recently, McMahan has emphasized a need for health officials to further investigate “depths of despair” -- the societal and personal reasons that lead adults to addiction and suicide.
In conversations with WBOI over the last several years -- including participation in a 2016 Issues & Ales panel on the opioid epidemic -- McMahan often advocated for compassion not only in care but also on larger issues, warning against fatigue when treating ongoing public health crises where progress appears slow.
McMahan says her time as a physician and health commissioner have been “the greatest professional privileges” of her life.
“In my 20-year tenure, I have seen life and public health become more complicated,” she said. “However, I am confident our community leaders will continue to collaborate to ensure Allen County is safe, healthy and prosperous.”
The department will begin the process of seeking a new commissioner. While she is retiring in June, McMahan is expected to stay on with the department to assist the new commissioner with their transition into the role.
