CADIZ – The Harrison County General Health District has a new leadership team.

Chuck Fisher, health department administrator, announced the changes. He told county commissioners that former health commissioner Dr. Isam Tabbah and former medical director Dr. Ajit Modi have retired. Tabbah relocated to Columbus, Ohio, and Modi to Florida.

Fisher said Dr. Scott Pendleton, veterinarian and proprietor of the Cadiz Animal Clinic, will serve as the new health commissioner. Fisher explained that the health commissioner oversees operation of the health department and examines trends in disease and outbreaks. The position can be compared to a chief executive officer.

“He’s planning on helping us move forward into the future,” said Fisher. “It seems like Dr. Pendleton is going to take a very progressive role.”

Fisher added that Dr. Richard Clark joined the department as the new medical director, a position he also holds in Morgan County, Ohio. Clark is a family physician based in Belpre, Ohio.

“He also oversees certain programs, like when we sign agreements with Ohio EPA or the Ohio Department of Health, grants, things like that,” Fischer said.

The medical director position differs from that of health commissioner. The medical director oversees medical operations and approves purchasing things such as vaccines. The director also deals with medical billing for services. Health departments are required by law to employ a Medical Director if the health commissioner is not a physician, according to the Association of Ohio Health Commissioners.

Fisher thanked voters for supporting the 1-mill tax levy to fund general operation of the Harrison County General Health District. Approved in the Nov. 3 general election, the levy funds will not be available until April 2016; Fisher requested a $75,000 advance from the county commission to fund the department in the meantime. The commissioners granted the request.

“We strongly believe having a fully functional health department during these times is extremely important to not only monitor the industry that’s here but also the transient population that comes with that,” said Commissioner Don Bethel, who also called Tabbah and Modi “pillars of the medical community” in Harrison County. He noted that both men had decades of experience as physicians.