New medical director takes over Public Health Department

ZANESVILLE, Ohio- The Zanesville-Muskingum County Public Health Department’s new medical director is diving into his new role head first.

The department announced earlier this month that longtime director Dr. Vicki Whitacre is retiring at the end of the month and Dr. Jack Butterfield, Jr., MD will be taking her place. Butterfield said he is adjusting to his new role and acknowledges the big shoes he has to fill.

“Dr. Whitacre is an icon here and she is leaving behind a huge legacy. Fortunately, she is inundating me with her information and has given me her private number to call her with questions – which I’m sure I’ll do – but she has been very good at orienting me to all of the various tasks that she has been accumulating over the years,” said Butterfield.

As Butterfield continues to learn the status of health in the county he is paying attention to some of the issues that are having an affect on the area.

“I think that we have probably the most overwhelming issue that we have is the opiate addiction overdose problem that we have and that is probably an area of focus for me,” said Butterfield.

The department will be hosting a retirement reception for Dr. Whitacre on April 4th from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Muskingum County Agencies Building. The reception is open to the public.