Dr. Brannon Traxler, a Greenville native, was named Friday to serve as the interim state health director as South Carolina continues to contend with the coronavirus pandemic.
Traxler, who has been serving as chief medical officer for the state’s COVID-19 response, will replace Dr. Joan Duwve, who is leaving less than five months after being hired, according to a statement issued Friday by the state Department of Health and Environmental Control.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced Thursday afternoon that Duwve had been hired as director of his state’s health department. Hours later, however, Duwve withdrew from consideration for the post in Ohio, citing personal reasons.
Dr. Brannon Traxler, a Preventative Medicine Physician with DHEC, speaks at a joint media briefing on the COVID-19 response at the Greenville Convention Center, Thursday, June 11, 2020. (Photo: MATT BURKHARTT/Staff)
“Understandably, Joan has made a career decision that she feels is in the best interest of her family and we respect this decision,” acting DHEC Director Marshall Taylor said in Friday’s statement. “Joan is a brilliant physician who is passionate about public health and we greatly appreciate the time she spent with DHEC as our director of Public Health. We wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors.”
Duwve did not return a phone message seeking comment Friday.
Duwve’s departure comes three months after DHEC’s former director, Rick Toomey, retired. Toomey, who spent a little over two years on the job, cited health concerns and the birth of his first grandchild as reasons why he left the post.
Traxler will assume her role as interim public health director immediately. Duwve will remain with the agency in an advisory role until Oct. 1.
“I have the utmost confidence in Brannon’s ability to lead the state’s public health efforts during these challenging times,” Taylor said. “Brannon’s breadth of experience and knowledge in medical practice as a surgeon as well as the Chief Medical Officer for the state’s COVID-19 response, uniquely positions her for this critical role and I look forward to our continued work together.”
Traxler takes over at a time when DHEC is trying to reverse a recent decrease in COVID-19 tests and also plan for the eventual distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine.
As of Thursday, South Carolina has seen more than 126,000 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19, according to DHEC. There have been 2,975 confirmed or probable COVID-19-related deaths in the state.
The pandemic has touched Traxler’s family. She spoke about her grandmother’s death from COVID-19 in a video that DHEC posted on Facebook.
Traxler previously practiced as a surgeon in South Carolina before changing her specialty to focus on public health. She earned her medical degree from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine and her master of public health degree from George Washington University.
Traxler received an undergraduate degree in microbiology from the Clemson University Honors College.
Kirk Brown covers government and politics. Follow him on Twitter @KirkBrown_AIM
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