Meeting Wednesday, Amy Gildemeister’s resignation letter in hand, members of the Schoharie County Board of Health named an interim Public Health director, Cobleskill Bassett doctor Susan Franko.
Dr. Franko served as director of Public Health in Hamilton County from 2013-2018 before joining the staff of Cobleskill Regional Hospital and Bassett Healthcare five years ago.
Dr. Franko has agreed to serve as interim Public Health director here, Roy Korn, Board of Health president said, but she’s not interested in taking on the job permanently.
Dr. Franko’s appointment was effective 11:59:59 Wednesday—the same time Dr. Gildemeister’s resignation went into effect—so there’d be no gap in the position.
Dr. Korn said Dr. Franko talked with County Administrator Korsah Afumfi earlier Wednesday before her appointment; supervisors had no objection, he said.
“They said they’re not opposed to anyone outside of Amy,” said Board of Health member and Fulton Supervisor Phil Skowfoe, referring to a meeting with some of the supervisors just days before Dr. Gildemeister resigned to take a job with the State Health Department.
Dr. Korn said Dr. Franko has held a number of jobs in the health field and many of the Board of Health members know her through her work at Bassett.
Dr. Franko won’t be in the office every day, but will help virtually and in-person when she can; she planned to meet with Health Department staff Thursday, he said,
Dr. Korn said Dr. Gildemeister is pleased with Dr. Franko’s appointment and the Health Department considers her well-qualified.
Stephen Strasser, another Board of Health member, called Dr. Franko a “person of very good character;” Dr. Korn said she already has solid working relationships with others in the health field.
The Board of Health will still need to find a permanent replacement for Dr. Gildemeister.
As of last Wednesday, two rounds of county advertising had resulted in just two applicants.
One of them asked about COVID vaccination requirements for the job; it’s still a state requirement for those in health care.
The other has a master’s in Public Health, but no real experience, Dr. Korn said, though he’s worked—briefly—as a professional basketball player and as a plumber.
Board of Health member Rebecca Eckel suggested adding the fact that COVID vaccination is a requirement of the job to the job ad.
“They’re going to have an awful time finding someone with Amy’s requirements,” said Mr. Skowfoe.
After Wednesday’s meeting, Dr. Korn said he’s looking forward to a “more collegial” relationship with supervisors and is optimistic they’ll be more open to bringing policy issues to the Board of Health.