Posted: 5/3/06
County hires HHS director
 Mary Sheehan |
By MaryHelen Swanson
Mary Sheehan likes to think of it as coming back home.
Last week, Sheehan was hired by the Chisago County Board of Commissioners to be the Health and Human Services Director.
Sheehan worked as a public health nurse for Chisago County in the early 1980s.
Between then and now, she has put together an impressive list of work experiences, most recently with the Minnesota Department of Health as director of the Community and Family Health Division.
She holds an AAS degree in nursing from St. Maiys Junior College in Minneapolis, a bachelor of arts in Human Services from Metro State University and a masters degree in Public Health from the University of Minnesota.
She has been director and manager of a number of health services and programs.
She was director of Health Education in Otter Tail County, head nurse at Health Etcetera Community Clinic in Minneapolis, and held staff nursing positions in Hennepin County and at metro hospitals and health centers.
In his recommendation for employment, County Administrator John Moosey made note of Sheehanís outstanding leadership, management and collaboration skills and experience.
He said, ìShe will be able to lead us through our turbulent human service, health and financial environment that we now face.î
The HHS department has been under fire in recent months for a number of issues, including accountability.
Moosey went on, ìIn our extensive background review, it is evident of the large impact Mary has made throughout her career. We are very fortunate to attract her back to Chisago County, as she worked as our nurse in 1983.î
Aware that most of her career has been in health areas, Sheehan was asked by one commissioner if she believes she can handle the entire department.
Sheehan responded that she will not have a problem.
The vote to hire her was unanimous among the commissioners and she was welcomed to the county.
She said she likes to think of it as coming back.
Comment from R Carlson, 5/4/06
Great news. I have known Mary since she was a graduate student working at the Minnesota Department of Health in the 1980s. She is a warm and dynamic person with the good of the public, and its health and welfare foremost in her leadership, work, and approaches to problem solving. Congratulations to Chisago County.
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