BEDFORD — The Lawrence County Board of Commissioners voted to postpone approval for two major leadership positions within the Lawrence County Health Department during their latest meeting, seeking additional time to review candidates and official board meeting minutes.
Paula Edwards, representing the Lawrence County Health Department, appeared before the commissioners to request the formal appointment of veterinarian Dr. Mercedes Kruse to the department’s board of directors and Dr. Kamal N. Girgis as the county’s new Health Officer.
Dr. Girgis was selected to succeed long-serving Health Officer Dr. Alan Smith, who is set to retire at the end of December 2026.
Despite the health department’s push to formalize the transition, county commissioners voiced a desire to pause the vote until they could thoroughly examine the applicants’ backgrounds and past meeting records.
Commission Vice President Rodney Fish and Commissioner Wally Branham both stressed the need for due diligence before signing off on the leadership choices.
Fish emphasized that the request for a delay was strictly administrative and not a reflection of the candidates’ qualifications or character.
“I appreciate both of them for wanting to serve the health department and the community,” Fish stated. “But I would like to review their information and the minutes. I jumped once before without having all the information and won’t do that again.”
Health Department Warns of Insurance Delays and Vaccine Risks
Edwards expressed deep disappointment over the decision to table the appointments, warning that the delay creates urgent logistical hurdles for the department’s operations heading into 2027.
Central to the urgency is securing required liability insurance coverage for Dr. Girgis before he assumes official duties in January. Edwards explained that insurance approval cannot proceed without the commissioners’ formal sanction.
Without active insurance coverage for the incoming Health Officer:
- The health department may be forced to temporarily suspend vital vaccination services across the county.
- Local officials expressed specific concern over potential lapses in clinic services at a time when Indiana continues to monitor statewide public health threats, including ongoing measles risks.
The Lawrence County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to revisit the appointments and hold a formal vote during its next regular meeting on Tuesday, November 17, 2026.
