Oakland County Health Announces New Health Officer

From Oakland County Health Division: Leigh-Anne Stafford will be Oakland County’s next health officer, County Executive L. Brooks Patterson announced today. She will manage a staff of 384 employees in the Oakland County Health Division which oversees public health in the county. Stafford replaces Kathy Forzley, whom Patterson recently appointed to lead the Health and Human Services Department.

“Leigh Anne’s energy, outlook, and qualifications will help Oakland County maintain its exceptional reputation as a public health leader in Michigan,” Patterson said. “She is a positive presence in the Health Division.”

Stafford has helped shape major Health Division projects. She was part of the leadership team for Energizing Connections for Healthier Oakland (ECHO), a countywide health improvement initiative focused on achieving a community where every individual that lives, works, or plays in Oakland County is a healthy person. She also co-chairs the Access to Care Action Team, which is focused on improving access to healthcare no matter what an individual’s economic circumstances are.

In addition, Stafford was hands-on in public health technology projects such as E-Health, a gateway for the public to locate public health services online, and the county’s communicable disease portal which made it simpler for doctors, hospitals, and schools to report illnesses.

“It is gratifying to know that Mr. Patterson has the confidence in me to be responsible for public health in Oakland County,” Stafford said. “I’m ready to take the reins of the Health Division where my focus will be on the needs of our clients and the community.”

Stafford joined the Oakland County Health Division as a public health sanitarian in 2000, a position she held until 2004 when she advanced to emergency preparedness specialist. She served as a user support specialist II from 2006-2007 before becoming the supervisor of planning and evaluation. She has been chief of administrative services since 2011. In these roles, Leigh-Anne has made it a priority to engage with staff at all levels and units within the Health Division, giving her a strong organizational knowledge so important for this role. She will begin her responsibilities as health officer and health division manager on Monday, May 1.

Stafford, 41, has a bachelor of science in environmental health from Eastern Kentucky University and a master of science in administration from Central Michigan University and is also a graduate of Leadership Oakland 2014/15. She lives in White Lake Township with her husband Robert Stafford and their two children. She is a volunteer soccer and t-ball coach for Waterford Parks and Recreation. She also is a lecturer at the University of Michigan-Flint.

For media inquiries only, please contact Bill Mullan, Oakland County media and communications officer, at 248-858-1048.

Image Courtesy of Oakland County