Mecklenburg County Health Director Resigns

Charlotte, NC — Mecklenburg County Manager Dena R. Diorio announced today that Public Health Director Dr. Marcus Plescia has resigned his position effective August 4, 2017.

Plescia joined Mecklenburg County as Health Director on February 1, 2014, following the retirement of former Health Director Dr. Earl Mabry.

Plescia oversaw the transition of Public Health from a shared service with Carolinas Healthcare Systems to one that now includes multiple clinics, services and approximately 800 employees, including 400 former hospital workers.

He led the charge for multiple wellness initiatives aimed at reducing chronic disease. Among them is a smoking ban on all government property in Mecklenburg County, the establishment of a seasonal Farmer’s Market on Beattie’s Ford Road, and the addition of healthy choices for County-catered meals and vending machines at County facilities.

Prior to becoming Health Director, Plescia was the Chronic Disease and Injury Chief for the North Carolina Department of Public Health and Director of Cancer Prevention and Control at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.

“I want to thank Dr. Plescia for his leadership and for championing Public Health’s community wellness initiatives,” said Diorio. “However, Dr. Plescia realizes that new leadership is needed to improve our processes and produce better outcomes for the residents who depend on Public Health every day.”