Health board keeps Dr. Velázquez as interim health officer

The Spokane Regional Health District Board unanimously voted to keep Dr. Francisco Velázquez as the interim health officer on Thursday, while the search for a permanent replacement begins.

There was no discussion about alternative options or another nomination for an interim health officer by board members during the meeting.

When Commissioner Al French called Velázquez a month ago to fill the role, he obliged the request for help at the health district, which turned out to mean he would be the interim health officer after the contentious ousting of Dr. Bob Lutz.

Velázquez told reporters this week that he is happy to stay at the district, if he is still needed.

“I will be willing to stay however long they need me, and I don’t have an end in sight,” he said.

Velázquez is a licensed physician in Washington state, but he does not have a master’s degree in public health or its equivalent required in state law for health officers. He is considered provisionally qualified as a result, which means he can hold the position for up to three years, as long as he completes an in-service public health orientation program.

State law describes this program as either a three-month course from the health secretary or an on-the-job self-training program. Provisionally qualified candidates get to choose which program they want to complete.

SRHD Administrator Amelia Clark said the district intends to conduct a nationwide search for a permanent health officer at the health district. The district issued a request for proposals this week to find a national search firm to help find a new health officer.

Clark said the process for responding to applications and choosing a firm would mean that the Board of Health could approve a contract for a search firm by mid-January. Additionally, Clark told the board she will present a recruitment plan to the executive committee in January . A recruitment committee for a new health officer could include members of the board.

The Board of Health also voted on its next two leaders for 2021 at its monthly meeting . Vice chair of the board, County Commissioner Mary Kuney was elected to chair of the board for 2021. Millwood Mayor Kevin Freeman will be vice chair.