Calvert’s first new health officer in nearly 40 years met with the Calvert County Commissioners Tuesday, Aug. 21. Dr. Laurence Polsky, a St. Mary’s County resident, recently succeeded Dr. David Rogers, who retired June 30. Polsky is a graduate of the University of Maryland School of Medicine and earned a masters of public health from Johns Hopkins University.
According to biographical information supplied to the press by county government staff, Polsky has practiced obstetrics and gynecology in St. Mary’s County since 1996 and is now transitioning to a career in public health. He chairs the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’ Fetal-Infant Mortality Review Committee, co-chairs the St. Mary’s County Board of Education’s Committee on Family Life and Human Development and chairs the St. Mary’s County Community Health Advisory Committee.
Polsky updated the commissioners and public on two recent health problems—West Nile Virus and Swine Flu. Regarding West Nile Virus, Polsky said no cases of the virus had been reported “in the immediate area there haven’t been any cases.” The physician noted there have been reports of the virus in some areas of the state.
Regarding Swine Flu, Polsky reported the newest strain has been reported in Queen Anne’s County. The Calvert County Department of Health is continuing to work with local livestock farmers in order to take preventative measures. ”There are no immediate concerns locally,” said Polsky.
The health officer reported his department is losing one psychiatrist who is moving out of the area. On the positive side, Polsky affirmed the Calvert County Health Department has good working relationships with Calvert County Public Schools and Calvert Memorial Hospital.
“There has to be a good partnership between the board of county commissioners and the health department,” said Commissioner Susan Shaw [R].
Commissioner Evan K. Slaughenhoupt Jr. [R] asked Polsky to work hard to improve the role of the health department in the county’s permitting process. Slaughenhoupt and Shaw agreed the health department’s role in the process causes more delays than any of the involved county government departments.
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