Thurston Public Health Director Schelli Slaughter Announces Departure

Dec. 3—Thurston County Public Health and Social Services Director Schelli Slaughter has announced her resignation and will vacate her position with the county Jan. 3, according to a news release from Thurston County.

Slaughter started her position with the county in 201, and helped lead Thurston County over the last 21 months through the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to Schelli for her leadership in managing this pandemic and a very complex department," county Manager Ramiro Chavez said in a statement. "My appreciation for what she has done is beyond description, but most of all the residents of Thurston County have benefitted from her leadership, commitment and dedication to public service."

Following Slaughter's departure, Emergency Services Director Kurt Hardin will lead Public Health in an interim capacity while county staff begin a "national search" for a permanent replacement beginning next year.

"The loss of Schelli's leadership and management will be an impact to our department, but we are working on plans to help mitigate that impact on our staff and residents," Chavez said.

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