HENDERSON COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — After 32 years of public health service, Henderson County Health Director Steve Smith recently announced his plans to retire in May 2024.

Smith gave notice of his plans to the Henderson County Board of Health during its Oct. 10 meeting.

His May retirement will mark 10 years — including through the Covid pandemic — of filling the lead role at the county’s health department, to which he was named in 2014.

WNC HEALTH PROFESSIONALS WATCHING FLU CASES IN SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE WITH INTEREST

“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the community with the benefit of strong leadership that has consistently been demonstrated by the Board of Health,” Smith told the Board of Health on Oct. 10. “My sincere appreciation to the entire board of health, the board of county commissioners, our department staff, and our many community partners for the stellar collaboration and progress with public health goals. Those efforts have made a positive difference in health outcomes in our community, and I do not doubt that your work will continue to do so in the years ahead.”

The Board of Health is finalizing a timeline for its recruitment process as it looks to fill the health director position next year.