Rebecca McLeod, MPH
Health Director
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 4, 2021
Lisa Moore, Burke County Health Department Public Information Officer
Susan Bingham, Burke County Board of Health Chairperson
Burke County Health Director Announces Retirement
Morganton, NC - Burke County Board of Health is announcing the retirement of Rebecca McLeod, Burke County Health Director on July 1, 2021, after 34 years of dedicated service. Ms. McLeod began her Public Health career in Cleveland County for a year and a half before accepting a Public Health Education position in Burke County 34 years ago. Ms. McLeod has been the Burke County Public Health Director for the past 9 years.
In her 34 years, Ms. McLeod has worked her way through the ranks as a Public Health Educator, Public Health Education Supervisor, Assistant Health Director and finally as Health Director. She knows the value of working hard, setting goals, and making a path to accomplish those goals.
During her tenure, she has led the Burke County Health Department staff to reach milestones such as strengthening community partnerships, leading staff to achieve the recognition of being one of two Nationally Accredited Health Departments within the State of NC, positioned the health department in preparations for NC Medicaid Transformation and started primary care services at the health department for those without insurance or a medical home. Over this last year during the COVID pandemic, Ms. McLeod has worked countless hours working with Burke County’s Unified Command and all partnering agencies to assure that resources, education/guidance, and support were provided within Burke County.
The Burke County Board of Health Chair, Susan Bingham, commented, “I and the rest of the Board of Health have enjoyed working with Rebecca McLeod. She is very knowledgeable and has always been extremely informative and open to the Board regarding all health department business. She will be greatly missed.”
Ms. McLeod told the Board of Health in her retirement announcement, “It has been my pleasure to serve the citizens in Burke County for 34 years. When I came to Burke County in 1987, as the first health educator, I never realized that I would be leading the department 25 years later. The past 9 years leading this department has been the most rewarding yet the most challenging of the 34 years of service in Burke County. It has been a wonderful journey.”
The Burke County Health Department staff greatly appreciates the dedication, support, and leadership that Rebecca McLeod has provided over the years. She will be missed but is wished many blessings in her new journey.
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