The Yates County Health Department has new leadership.
Annmarie Flanagan was unanimously appointed by the Yates County Legislature to serve as director of public health.
Former director Deb Minor retired earlier this winter after serving Yates County for more than 30 years. She served as director for the final 12 years of her career- over the last two- holding a joint-position covering both Schuyler and Yates counties.
“Deb has done an excellent job for the county and we will miss her terribly,” Chairman Doug Paddock said. “However, we welcome Annmarie as our new director of public health. I have no doubt that she will pick up where Deb left off and not miss a beat.” He said that the County was fortunate to have someone with Flanagan’s qualifications take up the position.
Flanagan brings 30 years of experience, and lives in Yates County. She began her career as a registered nurse- then obtaining a master’s degree in nursing education, a post master’s degree as a family nurse practitioner, and her doctor of nursing practice degree from St. John Fisher College.
“Yates County is fortunate to have Annmarie accept the position,” County Administrator Nonie Flynn said in a release. “She is more than capable of taking on the role to promote optimal health for all people in our community with integrity, compassion, and commitment to excellence.”
The search for a new public health director began in September 2020, in the midst of a pandemic. Both Schuyler and Yates counties worked together to come up with a recommendation to their respective legislature, which resulted in the hiring of Flanagan.
“I am honored to be appointed and I am eager to work with the outstanding staff in both counties,” she said. “My main focus is to vaccinate as many Schuyler and Yates residents as possible, to be able to reach herd immunity, and for all of us to return to our daily lives without restrictions. I look forward to moving past this pandemic so both departments can return to our full focus of health prevention and promotion.”
The shared position between both counties carries a 6-year term.
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