As an outreach coordinator in western
Pennsylvania, a large portion of my work is dedicated to air quality. In the
Pittsburgh metro region, the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) has the
authority to regulate emissions, and plan for future reductions. I interact
with ACHD on a regular basis with respect to permitting and regulatory issues.
When County Executive Rich Fitzgerald dismissed Bruce Dixon as ACHD director
last year, I was curious as to who would replace him. After all, this person would have a huge influence on future decisions that affect air quality here.
After a months-long national
search, Dr. Karen Ann Hacker has
been selected as the new director. Dr. Hacker comes to ACHD with strong
public health credentials in Boston, having served as an associate professor at
Harvard Medical School and as executive director at the Institute for Public
Health. However, she has little environmental health experience. That’s a
knowledge gap that she’ll need to address, considering that the region
consistently ranks in the top 10 on the American Lung Association’s annual
list of most polluted cities.
With support from local environmental
organizations, and Board of Health members including former PennFuture employee, Dr.
Joylette Portlock, who has a strong background in air quality science, I’m sure
Dr. Hacker will be up to speed in no time. I’m looking forward
to meeting her and to working together in the future to improve public health
in the county. In the meantime, welcome to Pittsburgh, Dr. Hacker!
