Douglas county Health Officer, Dr. Thomas Marcellino, who has played a prominent role in the Lawrence response to the COVID 19 pandemic, plans to resign in the coming months. At the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Board Meeting last night, Health Department Director, Dan Partridge, said Marcellino was planning to resign in the next couple month. He says there was no specific date yet, but Marcellino had suggested he would leave in March.
Marcellino has taken a lead role throughout the pandemic in implementing public health orders, such as the ongoing indoor mask order. The State of Kansas grants County Health Officers the authority to issue “stay at home” orders and cancel public events and gatherings. Douglas County had orders restricting mass gatherings and other limits on residents and businesses earlier in the pandemic.
Marcellino has served as Douglas County’s Health Officer since his appointment to the position in 2012. Partridge says Deputy Health Officer, Jennifer Schrimsher could take over Marcellino’s duties.
