Mary Lambert plans to leave her position as Chattanooga's director of the Office of Community Health at the end of the month, according to a news release from the city.
Lambert was the first director appointed to the new department after its establishment in April 2021.
Lambert initially committed to one year of service but spent more than two years in the position to ensure department success throughout the pandemic, the release said. Her time was spent laying the groundwork for the new Office of Community Health, working to equalize public health access, improving vaccination rates and exploring ways to better inform the city through monitoring health metrics, according to the release.
(READ MORE: Chattanooga mayor says new leadership positions reflect priorities of city government)
"Dr. Lambert is one of our nation's most experienced and thoughtful public health leaders, and we have been incredibly fortunate to have her serving her hometown as part of our team," Mayor Tim Kelly said in the release. "It was an honor and a privilege to work alongside her setting up this critically important new department to serve Chattanooga's residents."
Geeta Maharaj will move from her deputy director position to stand in as interim director of the Office of Community Health until a replacement is hired, the release said.
Upon leaving the administration, Lambert plans to prepare for law school and continue consulting for the Kelly administration on matters of public health services, according to the release.
— Compiled by Sarah Dolgin
Contributed Photo / Geeta Maharaj is succeeding Mary Lambert as the new director of the Office of Community Health and Safety.