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Health officer to step down

Topeka Capital Journal - 10/30/2020

Dr. Gianfranco Pezzino spent the weeks and months after 9/11 preparing for biochemical terrorism and anthrax-laced postage weapons.

He spent the past 14 years as health officer for Shawnee County.

The past few months, he said, have been the most frustrating of his career.

“The lack of leadership starting at the national level that percolates down to all levels of society, and the divisiveness that has been created by that ... there is no surprise the same kind of division and confusion trickles down to all levels of our society,” Pezzino said of partisan approaches to COVID-19.

Pezzino, 66, announced at Thursday’s Shawnee County Commission meeting that he won’t renew his contract at the end of this year.

“I walked into (the) board of county commissioners meeting more than once with my letter of resignation in my pocket,” he said. “I know I am coming to the end of my energy. I just couldn’t see myself doing this for another year.”

Pezzino was preparing a multiyear retirement plan before he increased his workload to tackle the pandemic in Shawnee County. He said this decision was weeks in the making.

Pezzino said he is worried he might be “abandoning” his community when it needs his help but knew it was time

to move on. He said it could be beneficial to get a new health officer with a fresh perspective to take charge.

Pezzino has spent decades working in public health but said this was one of the more stressful times in his career.

“Those were hard times, but it wasn’t as frustrating as it is now,” he said.

Pezzino said the country is divided on the best way to mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus despite scientifically proven methods, such as mask wearing.

He said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has to “fight to send (out) its own message” because of widespread misinformation.

In past county commission meetings, Pezzino grew frustrated with Shawnee County Commissioner Bill Riphahn, who has suggested such alternatives as herd immunity and referenced the Great Barrington Declaration, a document Pezzino said many health experts oppose.

For weeks Pezzino has urged residents to wash their hands, social distance, wear masks and avoid large crowds. On Oct. 8, Pezzino warned residents to limit private gatherings to prevent the spread of the virus, and since then, Shawnee County has seen an increase in COVID-19 cases.

Despite his frustration, Pezzino said his decision not to renew his contract was ultimately about his physical and mental health, and that even if the county had better managed the pandemic, he still might have left.

“We can play the what-if game without end,” he said. “That would have made the whole situation less stressful. Could that have been enough to make me decide to stay for another year? I’m not sure.

“Probably the thing that would have made a difference is not just how many cases we have, but the extent to which the division we have in our community and in our country was something I could see could be mended and the gap could be filled.”

Pezzino said he doesn’t want the spotlight to focus solely on him because all health department officials are working extra hours to manage the pandemic.

Linda Ochs, director of the health department, said she is also frustrated and said managing the pandemic is a daunting task.

“It affects everyone and everyone is tired of it,” she said.

Pezzino also works as senior fellow for the Kansas Health Institute, a job he described as being “nearly full time.” He said he would continue to live in Topeka and work for KHI.

The department will search for Pezzino’s replacement in the next few weeks, according to a news release issued Thursday.

“We are all helpful, and some of us may be more helpful than others, but nobody is unique and indispensable,” Pezzino said. “I know I have been helpful. I also believe many other people can be helpful in my place ... I am sure I am not the only one who can carry on the role.”

Blaise Mesa, The Topeka Capital-Journal