The La Plata County Board of Health has selected a sole finalist candidate for director of the county public health department, and it’s a familiar face: Theresa Anselmo.
Anselmo was brought on in August 2023 to serve as interim director of the department after county commissioners, who were doing the hiring at the time, opted not to hire the sole finalist for the position (a second finalist removed herself from consideration).
A second round of hiring this spring produced the same result: one finalist withdrew and the board opted not to hire the other.
The selection of Anselmo as the lone finalist could signal an end to the hiring saga, which has now stretched out over a year.
However, under Anselmo’s leadership, officials have launched La Plata County Public Health, a department borne from the ashes of San Juan Basin Public Health which officially shut its doors Dec. 31.
“She is just a very strong leader,” BOH President Patricia Supanich-Wall said. “She has a keen sense of what we really need to do moving forward, and she has a lot of great experience in public health.”
Anselmo had never led a department when she was hired. Immediately before taking the county job, she had served as the policy manager for the Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation.
However, after 10 months on the job, Supanich-Wall said Anselmo has a strong command of the state’s public health landscape.
Anselmo did not apply to the job earlier this year.
It was important to her that the department find the best possible director, and she wanted to avoid even the appearance of incumbent preference.
But when the county opened up the job application for a third time, Anselmo bit.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time down here, I've made some really strong relationships (and) I like the work,” she said. “It's a really exciting time to be here, to take the helm of this organization.”
The organization has been in a state of transition since before its inception.
“We just need some stability,” she said.
She has the advantage of already knowing the department’s staff, programs and systems.
If confirmed by the Board of Health, Anselmo says she is excited to curate a culture that incorporates continuous quality improvement and focuses on workforce development to assure staff retention.
The county listed the job opening with an annual salary of $114,500 to $143,100 depending on experience.
Members of the public can meet Anselmo at an event from 5 to 7 p.m. July 9 at the County Administration Building at 1101 East Second Ave.
The Board of Health will discuss her qualifications and public input and likely vote on her appointment on July 15.
rschafir@durangoherald.com
