Clark County launches search for new health officer as Dr. Eric Yazel prepares to depart

Clark County leaders have begun a process to find a replacement health officer as Dr. Eric Yazel prepares to leave his position, according to Louisville Public Media. The announcement comes as county officials weigh the next steps for the Clark County Public Health Department and its leadership during an extended transition period.

In the lead-up to the search, local leaders said the goal is to identify a new health officer who can maintain and build on work already underway. The reporting described the selection effort as an important opportunity to carry forward what officials characterize as recent progress under Yazel’s tenure.

The Clark County Public Health Department is responsible for key community health functions, and the health officer role typically involves overseeing public health operations, coordinating with local partners, and ensuring regulatory and program requirements are met. With Yazel’s departure approaching, officials said it is important to proceed in a way that avoids disruption to department operations and continues momentum on existing priorities.

The search is being framed as a local government staffing decision with practical consequences for the department’s day-to-day work and its public-facing services. As leaders move through the process, the department will need an acting leadership plan as well as a final appointment pathway, depending on how the county structures the role and the timing of the transition.

County officials also indicated that the selection criteria will matter, since the incoming health officer will be expected to step into an active work environment rather than start from scratch. That includes managing programs, coordinating public health communications, and aligning department activities with state and local expectations.

Louisville Public Media reported the announcement on June 25, 2026. The reporting did not describe the full timetable for candidate screening, interviews, or final appointment, and it also did not specify whether Yazel’s departure date has been set publicly.

Next, Clark County leaders are expected to continue the search process for a new health officer while preparing for the leadership transition. Residents and partner organizations that rely on the health department’s services will be watching for details on interim leadership and when the county expects to name the next permanent health officer.