Former health officer had tense relationship with Jackson County commissioners, emails show
Updated May 11, 2021;
Posted May 11, 2021
Jackson County Health Department and Henry Ford Allegiance Health workers operate a vaccination clinic against COVID-19 on April 9.
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JACKSON COUNTY, MI – As Jackson County was experiencing some of the highest rates of new COVID-19 cases in the nation, county leaders were considering ways to remove the top official responsible for public health guidance, email communications show.
Health Officer Rashmi Travis left her post leading the health department on March 19. Emails from County Administrator/Controller Mike Overton, obtained by MLive/Jackson Citizen Patriot through a Freedom of Information Act request, indicate the county Board of Commissioners may have considered forcing Travis out, if she hadn’t resigned.
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This is coming off the heels of Rashmi Travis abruptly leaving her post at the Jackson County Health Department where she served as the Health Officer during the pandemic. Jackson County Covid-19 numbers have seen a recent spike in the last few weeks.
Health officer leaves Jackson County post as COVID-19 cases rise
Updated 4:06 PM;
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JACKSON COUNTY, MI Jackson County is currently facing rapidly rising rates of new COVID-19 cases without an experienced official at the head of its health department.
Rashmi Travis, the former Jackson County health officer, resigned Friday, March 19, county officials confirmed. Travis led the county’s health department operations a critical job during the coronavirus pandemic for about two years.
The circumstances surrounding Travis’ departure are unclear. County Administrator Mike Overton declined to specify why she resigned, citing a policy against discussing personnel matters. Assistant County Administrator Debra Kubitskey, who will run the department until a replacement can be found, also could not say why Travis left the position. Travis could not be reached for comment.