Released: November 18, 2021
Delaware County Board of Health approved Melissa C. Lyon, CPH, as the first Delaware County Health Department Director during a special meeting on November 18.
“This is an exciting next step for the County as we prepare to launch the Delaware County Health Department in January 2022,” said Delaware County Council Vice Chair Dr. Monica Taylor. “Melissa will focus on ensuring the health and well-being of our community through the collection and evaluation of hyperlocal data and fostering community partnerships to deliver programs and resources for all residents.”
With extensive background in the public health sector and governmental public health structure and function, Lyon will lead the health department in its efforts to improve health equity, safety, and quality of life for Delaware County’s 576,000 residents.
“We look forward to working with Melissa as the Delaware County Health Department takes shape under her leadership,” said Frances M. Sheehan, President of The Foundation for Delaware County. “As the organization that established the Delaware County Public Health Fund to help raise charitable donations for the health department’s efforts, we are excited to support Melissa’s work to create the highest quality public health for our county.”
Lyon brings more than 20 years of experience in healthcare and public health. She previously served as the Public Health Director for eight years and recently took on the role of COVID-19 Response Incident Commander for the Erie County Health Department. In the role as Public Health Director, she hired more than 65 new employees for the COVID-19 Response Division and Public Health Policy and Strategy Division that she created.
Throughout her career, Lyon has demonstrated her commitment to the advancement of public health through years of membership and service to the National Association of County and City Health Officials, State Association of County and City Health Officials, and extensive Public Health Accreditation site visit evaluations.
She is a graduate of the State University of New York (SUNY) at Fredonia, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Biology, and Kaplan University, where she earned a master’s degree in Public Health. Lyon is currently a SUNY Fredonia adjunct faculty member where she teaches introduction to public health and the public health seminar. She also guest lectures and speaks at universities and professional association events across the country.