County swears in new health official

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September 11, 2012

County swears in new health official

Faith Harper Jacksonville Daily Progress The Jacksonville Daily Progress Tue Sep 11, 2012, 08:19 AM CDT

JACKSONVILLE — Dr. James R. Low was sworn in as the Cherokee County Public Health's Medical Director and the county's health authority on Monday morning.

Low was introduced and sworn in at the commissioners court meeting in Rusk.

Chris Taylor, executive director for the department, said Low grew up in Jacksonville. He is a graduate of Lon Morris College, The University of Texas at Tyler and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical school. He completed his residency in Dallas, and has practiced internal medicine in Jacksonville since 1991.

“We have found ourselves an excellent physician and involved community person and I'm very happy to have a new voice for public health,” Taylor said.

Taylor said as medical director, Low will provide medical oversight for the health department's clinic. He will also be the county's health authority in the event of a serious disease outbreak or other medical emergency.

Low said he is ready to get involved with the community.

“I worked in this county for 22 years and have worked with a lot of great patients and people in this county and I know there is a need for someone to be in there that wants to make a difference,” he said.

“There are a lot of health concerns in Cherokee County,” Low said. “We are one of the lowest ranked counties in health outcomes and somehow we need to make a difference.”

Low said he will learn all he can to help county residents.

“I plan on going to some of their conferences and be active in my learning role,” he said. “It's not going to be me teaching people, it's going to be me learning from others and what they have done and institute them here to make a difference.”

Low will replace Dr. Mary Alice Bone, who carried the title for about 16 years. Bone said she started working for the clinic after she retired in 1994, earning the medical director title in a few years later.

Bone thanked the commissioners court for her time with the county and said the experience was a blessing and a pleasure.

“I think (we are) passing the torch to someone who has the county’s best interest in heart,” she said.

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County swears in new health official

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