Harris announced as interim Mecklenburg Co. health director

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Mecklenburg County manager Dena Diorio announced Gibbie Harris will replace embattled Mecklenburg County health director Dr. Marcus Plescia on an interim basis when he resigns in August.

“I'm confident her leadership, knowledge and experience will help public health get on the right track,”  Diorio said.

Harris said she expects to be in that role for at most six months and has no desire to be there full-time.

Harris has 25 years in public health. She was the health director in Buncombe and Wake counties.

After retiring in 2015, she founded the consulting group Praxis Partners.

Praxis Partners is one of the groups investigating the county health department after its scandals. Despite that, Harris said there is no conflict of interest because her company is focused on the county's organizational structure.

“Technically, we haven't looked at the clinical pieces. We're looking at the bigger picture,” Harris said.

Harris said that while she is in the position she will look to shake up the health department.

“There's a lot good work happening in this health department,” Harris said. “Unfortunately, there have been a couple of issues but there's lot of opportunity.”

Plescia announced he is stepping down, effective Aug. 4, the county announced last month to commissioners in closed session.

Channel 9 obtained a short letter that Plescia sent to his staff about the resignation. He in part blamed the media for his decision saying, "Negative media coverage, which has often lacked balance and has been focused heavily on me, has become a distraction."

[SCROLL DOWN to read the Plesica's letter to staff]

Many members of the board, including Commissioner Matthew Ridenhour, were caught off guard by Tuesday's announcement.

“I think it was the right decision to move on and find someone else to lead the county,” Ridenhour said.

Plescia and his department have been drowning in controversies of late.

In February, the health department admitted it failed to tell 185 women about abnormal Pap smear results.

In March, the county inadvertently sent Channel 9 the personal medical information of more than 2,000 patients of the health department.

Last month, the health department allowed hundreds of pools to open without being inspected.

“There have been so many issues we've had within the health department that it was the right time to move on,” Ridenhour said.

The resignation comes less than a month after Plescia cried while speaking to commissioners, thanking them for their support.

While he faced heavy criticism, Plescia had the support of many members of his department.

But in March, when Channel 9 asked Diorio if she had confidence in him, she gave a lukewarm response.

“I wouldn’t say his job was in jeopardy. He wasn't feeling it with us and we weren't feeling it with him and the feeling is mutual,” Doria said.

In a statement, Dorio said new leadership is needed.

The commissioners will not have a say in choosing his replacement.

It's the county manager's job to hire someone.

Over the past year, Plescia oversaw changes at the Whitewater Center after a teenager died from a brain-eating amoeba following a visit there.

The department now conducts health inspections at the center four times a year, and three of the inspections are unannounced.

“I want to thank Dr. Plescia for his leadership and for championing Public Health's community wellness initiatives,” Diorio said. “However, Dr. Plescia realizes that new leadership is needed to improve our processes and produce better outcomes for the residents who depend on Public Health every day.”

Last month, Channel 9 obtained Plescia's resignation email:

I write to let you know that I have informed the County and Assistant County Manager of my plan to resign as Mecklenburg County Health Director.

I took this job a little over three years ago because I felt a strong commitment to this community and was at a place in my career where I felt I could make a difference in this setting.  I believed, and still believe, that this public health department has the potential to be a national leader.  I also felt that I had the experience and determination to help lead the department into the future. 

I have enjoyed my time here and am proud of what we have accomplished. But, unfortunately, my tenure has been overshadowed by recent events.  Six months ago we identified a lapse in follow-up of abnormal pap tests.  Since then I have taken steps to resolve the immediate problem, and hired consultants to help identify and expedite changes in our organization and clinical processes.  I am committed to seeing this process through, but I now think it is best for someone else to take over my leadership role in the long term.

Candidly, the constant negative media coverage – which has often lacked balance and has been focused heavily on me – has become a distraction to the department, has rendered it significantly more difficult for me to accomplish what I came here to do, and has been a burden on my family.  I have felt frustrated at not being able to clear my name, and also that of the wonderful people who have committed their lives to this department. Regardless, my resignation will hopefully allow this agency of committed people to continue to do good work.

 I very much appreciate the unwavering support of Dena Diorio and Anthony Trotman in this decision.   They have both been extremely supportive and professional during my tenure here, and I know that the County is in good hands.  

I have agreed to stay with Mecklenburg County until August 4.  I have committed to continue as Health Director until an Interim Director can be hired.  I will then support that person in assuming my leadership roles and responsibilities.

 I appreciate the many employees who have supported me in my tenure as Public Health Director.  I look forward to working with you over the next two months to assure a smooth transition.  I certainly wish you all the best in the future.

Sincerely,

Marcus Plescia

Cox Media Group