Health panel labors to find leader

9/28/2001

The Toledo mayor's commission on minority health, a program that was pushed for by Mayor Carty Finkbeiner and set up in 1999, continues to struggle in its search to find a new director.

Joette Clark, 65, headed the commission as projects director for about eight months, but died of an asthma attack in December.

The commission's co-chairmen have been trying to find a replacement for Ms. Clark but yesterday reported to the Toledo-Lucas County board of health that they still haven't had any luck.

“This is the most frustrating thing I've ever been in,” Doni Miller, commission co-chair and board of health member, told her fellow board members.

Many of the commission's activities, including its search for an assistant director, are on hold until a director can be hired, according to Mary Gregory, the other co-chair, who's also on the board of health.

Ms. Gregory and Ms. Miller said they've interviewed applicants, but for the most part haven't found any suitable replacements.

Another obstacle has been convincing someone to move to the Toledo area, they said.

The mayor established the commission to address disparities between minorities and whites in eight areas: infant mortality, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, immunizations, violence, and mental health.