Darien Health Director Takes on a New Role

Photo: Darien Director of Health David Knauf. Patch file photo.

Darien’s Health Director, David Knauf, will be assuming new responsibilities next week as he succeeds Stamford Director of Health and Social Services Anne Fountain on an interim basis.

Fountain is resigning and will step down next week after leading the city’s Health and Social Services Department for six years. Mayor David Martin announced Fountain’s departure to pursue a career in the private sector on Friday.

And in an unusual move, Martin has reached an agreement with Darien First Selectman Jayme Stevenson that will have Knauf acting in a dual capacity. While maintaining his duties in Darien, he will be Stamford’s Acting Director of Health until a permanent director is chosen. Knauf will work closely with Stamford’s Public Safety Director Thaddeus Jankowski who will oversee daily operations and Dr. Henry Yoon, Stamford’s Medical Director, while a search for Fountain’s successor is conducted. The search will begin immediately and should take approximately 12 to 16 weeks, officials said.

Martin said, “This is a perfect example of good collaboration with communities working together as needed. I would like to personally thank First Selectman Jayme Stevenson for this collaboration and Health Director, David Knauf, for his dedication to public health in assisting Stamford’s need on an interim basis.”

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Knauf’s appointment is effective Dec. 7.

In a statement, Fountain who joined the Stamford Health Department 11 years ago, said, “I am excited about this new opportunity in the private sector, but I will miss working for the City of Stamford. I am thankful for all of the support from the administration and my colleagues that I have worked with over the years. It has been an honor to serve the residents of Stamford.”

Fountain began her career in public health in New York City and joined the Stamford Health Department in 2004 as the Public Health Emergency Response Coordinator and rose to the position of Director of Health and Social Services. Fountain has served as the Director of Health and Social Services since 2010 and has led the department through some transitional and challenging times.

“I commend Director Fountain for her skilled leadership and dedicated commitment to the City of Stamford,” said Martin. “Director Fountain was instrumental in making Stamford a healthier community through her efforts.”

Under Fountain’s leadership, the Department has achieved many goals and objectives that benefit the community. The Department worked with local legislators to pass an ordinance requiring the City to provide residents with subsidized testing of well water for pesticides, uranium and arsenic and developed a well water testing program.

The Health and Social Services Department also collaborated with the Parks Commission to institute a no-smoking policy in city-owned parks; improved public health programs in Stamford schools; developed a food safety program for restaurants; developed improved public health emergency response and sheltering protocols; enrolled thousands of individuals in the state healthcare program; and responded to major emergencies, storms, outbreaks and other major events, including Superstorm Sandy and Hurricane Irene.

“During her tenure as Director, the department made great strides improving public health and social service programs provided for Stamford residents,” Jankowski said. “Director Fountain leaves behind a legacy of comprehensive public health and social services, which has impacted not only Stamford but the entire State of Connecticut.”