State health director resigns after 18 months

RALEIGH, NC (WWAY) — North Carolina’s state health director resigned Tuesday after 18 months on the job.

In a statement, the Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Aldona Wos said she accepted Dr. Laura Gerald’s resignation but did not say why she resigned.

“On behalf of nearly 18,000 DHHS employees, please join me in thanking Dr. Gerald for her service to the state and wishing her well on her future endeavors,” Wos said in the statement.

Wos said Danny Staley, the Deputy Director of Public Health, will serve as the acting Director of the Division of Public Health, and Robin Cummings, the Director of DHHS’ Office of Rural Health and Community Care, will serve as the acting State Health Director.