July 18, 2017

Standing on the recommendations of inside and outside program assessments, Interim Health Director Gibbie Harris on Tuesday laid out a tentative vision of how the department she has led for three weeks can escape the headlines and improve its services to the community.

Elements include sustaining a competent and dedicated work force; more supervisory control but less isolation of top management; more efficiency and productivity of existing resources. The only outsourcing Harris discussed was the possibility of privatizing laboratory services, particularly as new clinics are added. Oh, and the temporary turnaround advisers required to reshape a culture that Harris says leaves the department able to do more and better, but not doing either one.

During the Q&A, a number of the questions had to do with the implications for Mecklenburg of Senate GOP attempts to “repeal” Obamacare without replacing it. By day’s end that effort appeared to have died for lack of votes. But Assistant County Manager Anthony Trotman’s assessment that the subject bears continued watchfulness appeared in order.

In the video, Harris’s presentation begins at minute 12:56. The Q&A begins at minute 35:00.