Earlier this summer, former Guilford County Health Director Dr. Iulia Vann stepped down to take a similar job with greener pastures and more pay than the job she had as the Director of the Health Division of the Guilford County Department of Health and Human Services.

The multi-lingual Vann with her medical degrees was well liked by the commissioners and well respected by those she worked with – so much so that the Guilford County Board of Commissioners recently took the rare step of passing a resolution honoring the newly departed director.

So, that left some big shoes to fill and, on Monday, Aug. 12, Guilford County announced that the person who’ll fill those shoes – at least for the time being –is Anita Ramachandran, a three-year assistant Guilford County health director who got her start with the Health Division more than a quarter century ago as a Community Health Educator.

Her ascension to the post became effective on Friday, August 9.

Ramachandran began her career with the county back when the Health Department was an independent department – before the county commissioners merged it with the Social Services Department.

In December of 1998, she took the job as a Community Health Educator and developed programs meant to promote health in Guilford County and prevent chronic disease – especially in high-priority health areas.

Since June of 2021, Ramachandran has served as Assistant Public Health Director. In that capacity, she’s been in charge of key public health divisions, including community health, environmental health, allied services and health education. She has also managed public health preparedness, epidemiology, and public health pandemic-related funding for the county’s Health Division.

Ramachandran has her master’s degree in health administration and business administration from Pfeiffer University, and area Tar Heel fans will be glad to know that she received her bachelor’s degree in economics and sociology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

She’s been a resident of Guilford County since the age of one and she’s a graduate of Smith High School in Greensboro.

She takes over the position at a much calmer time county health-wise when compared to Vann’s entrance.  Vann became Guilford County’s interim health director on March 1, 2020, after longtime Guilford County Health Director Merle Green stepped down as director just one week before COVID-19 hit Guilford County full force.

 The Rhino Times wrote at that time that Vann got a “baptism by fire.”

 Ramachandran said on Monday that she was thrilled to have the job.

“I am honored to be appointed as Interim Public Health Director,” Ramachandran said in a prepared statement. “I look forward to fostering collaboration in Guilford County to advance health equity, enhance well-being, maintain daily operations, and address the evolving public health needs for each of our residents.”

Assistant County Manager Victor Isler, who’s also the county’s Human Services Director, said this was a good choice for the county.

“I am pleased to announce Anita Ramachandran as Interim Public Health Director,” Isler said. “She brings to this role an invaluable 26-year track record of advancing public health initiatives in Guilford County. Anita is an exceptional leader with a longstanding commitment to public health and improving health outcomes in our community.”

Very often, Guilford County officials name someone to an interim job, like what they see and eventually make that person the official director after an extensive search.  Only time will tell if that happens this time around, however, for now, Ramachandran will be running the health show for the county.

Guilford County officials stated this week that the county is “committed to continuing its efforts in advancing the health and well-being of all and recruiting the next health director is a priority.”

 County administration will meet with public health staff, county leadership, and key community stakeholders to collect input in selecting the best candidate for what county officials call an “essential role.”

About