November 4, 2020
Media Contact: Robert Parker, public information officer, Western Region, robert.parker@vdh.virginia.gov
Dr. Sue Cantrell, Director of Lenowisco and Cumberland Plateau Health Districts, Announces Retirement
(WISE, Va.) — Eleanor Sue Cantrell, M.D., director of the LENOWISCO and Cumberland Plateau Health Districts, Virginia Department of Health (VDH), announced today her plans to retire, effective January 1, 2021. Dr. Cantrell began her career at VDH in 1991 as director of the LENOWISCO Health District. She also served as interim director of the Cumberland Plateau Health District for several years intermittently until 2016, when she accepted the permanent assignment covering both districts. Dr. Cantrell had an internal medicine practice in Norton, Virginia prior to entering the public health field.
“I have appreciated the opportunity to work in public health and the many occasions to develop friendships and collaborations in the work with the many community partners in far southwest Virginia and beyond,” said Dr. Cantrell. “Our pandemic response efforts have been enhanced by the solid relationships already in place across the two districts, and will continue strong under the leadership of the VDH and the many partners engaged in this work.”
“Southwest Virginia has been my home for more than 45 years and I will continue to call it home and will continue to support and advocate for the work of those engaged in improving opportunities and health in our area,” she continued. “However, after much consideration and prayer, I must devote more time to family commitments which will now be a priority.”
The search for the next health director for the LENOWISCO and Cumberland Plateau Health Districts will begin immediately. If recruitment and onboarding proceed quickly, a new health director may be in place by the end of the year. Regardless, both districts will have the services of a health director, continuously, throughout the transition.
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