Rebekah English Named Northeast Regional Director
NASHVILLE – Rebekah English, RN, MPH, has been appointed the new director of the Tennessee Department of Health’s Northeast Region. She assumes the role after serving as assistant regional director for the TDH Northeast Region since 2010.
“Rebekah has the knowledge and public health expertise to successfully lead the Northeast Region in reaching departmental and regional strategic goals and in the day-to-day tactical challenges,” said TDH Assistant Commissioner for Community Health Services Leslie Humphreys, MPA. “We are pleased she has accepted the additional responsibilities of this position and will continue her work to protect, promote and improve health and prosperity in northeast Tennessee.”
English will provide leadership for all administrative, clinical, non-clinical and medical services within the TDH Northeast Region. In her new role, she will oversee management of county health departments in Carter, Greene, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi and Washington Counties. Located in Johnson City, the Northeast Regional Office is also responsible for providing guidance within the region in areas of community emergency preparedness, communicable and environmental disease control, health education and outreach.
“Our Department of Health employees strive to meet the goals of the department and the needs of our clients on a daily basis with their work ethic and dedication,” said English. “I am honored in being selected to lead a region recognized in promoting improved health for all individuals, and look forward to partnering with community leaders in the northeast Tennessee region."
English holds a Master of Public Health degree and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from East Tennessee State University. She succeeds Fred Adams, who retired in June after 45 years of service with TDH.
English brings extensive expertise and public health experience to her new position as regional director. Before serving as assistant regional director for the TDH Northeast Region, she served as county health director for the Greene County Health Department. English also served as coordinator of the Breast and Cervical Program and later as Maternal and Child Health director while working as a public health nurse in the Northeast Regional Office. Prior to joining TDH as a public health nurse, English worked as a nurse with a home health agency.
English is a member of the Tennessee Public Health Association and the East Tennessee State University College of Public Health Leading Voices Advisory Committee. She also serves as a board member with Frontier Health.
The mission of the Tennessee Department of Health is to protect, promote and improve the health and prosperity of people in Tennessee. For more information about TDH services and programs, visit http://health.state.tn.us/.