Public Health Department Medical Director to retire

ZANESVILLE, Ohio- A beloved doctor is retiring after serving the community for 36 years.

Dr. Vicki Whitacre, the Medical Director at the Public Health Department, will be hanging up her stethoscope at the end of this month. Dr. Whitacre held many roles at the department over the years.

“I got asked to be on the board that was the first involvement. And then they had some needs for prenatal care and I said, ‘Well, I can do physicals on patients.’,” said Whitacre. “So I started in doing that on a very part time basis while I was working in the E.R. And then it just sort of progressed and I filled in for the pediatrician at the health department.”

Dr. Whitacre’s work didn’t stop there. When the previous medical director retired and the department was on the search for a replacement she knew she could get the job done. Dr. Whitacre has been with the health department full time for 18 years. Now she’s looking forward to spending time with her loved ones.

“We have a son getting married in June, at the end of June. I hope to travel and see a lot of relatives. The usual things that we’ve been doing just more often,” Dr. Whitacre shared. “As you get older you realize your friends and your relatives are the most important things in your life.”

Dr. Jack Butterfield Jr., M.D. will take over for Dr. Whitacre. A reception to celebrate Dr. Whitacre will take place April 4th from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Muskingum County Agencies Building (Public Health Department location) on the second floor in the Muskingum Room. The reception is open to the community.

If you would like to send cards to Dr. Whitacre you can drop them off or send them to  ZMCHD, Dr. Vicki Ann Whitacre, 205 N. 7th Street, Zanesville, OH 43701.