Anchorage Well being Division director resigns, citing well being points

Anchorage Well being Division director Joe Gerace has resigned, citing extreme well being points.

Mayor Dave Bronson’s workplace introduced Gerace’s departure Monday afternoon in a written assertion.

“Final week, I suffered a stroke whereas working and spent three days within the hospital in consequence,” Gerace stated within the assertion. “At this time, after struggling one other occasion, and being transported by ambulance to the hospital, I acknowledge the necessity to deal with my well being in the beginning.”

Bronson appointed Gerace in September. In his position as director, Gerace oversaw a workers of about 130 on the well being division and a roughly $14.7 million finances. The division has been chargeable for overseeing town’s COVID-19 efforts and far of town’s homelessness response.

Forward of the Anchorage Meeting’s November vote confirming Gerace as director, multiple accusations towards Gerace surfaced, largely from former colleagues and staff he had supervised at earlier workplaces. The accusations associated to his conduct within the office and included allegations of sexism towards feminine staff and security considerations. The Bronson administration known as the accusations false and an try at character assassination.

After securing his place, Gerace labored to face down town’s mass care homeless shelter on the Sullivan Enviornment, which town closed on the finish of June, together with most of its different pandemic-era homelessness responses.

Deputy Director Kim Rash will function appearing head of the division, in line with the mayor’s workplace.

This can be a growing story. Examine again for updates.