Allen County board appoints new health commissioner

Dr. Matthew Sutter will replace Dr. Deborah McMahan, who has served as the county health commissioner since 2000 and is retiring June 5.

Good evening i'm hunter petroviak thanks for joining us.tonight -- a replacement has been named for allen county health commissioner doctor deborah mcmahan.mcmahan announced her retirement earlier in the year...but the new position and role will be much different than hers.fox 55's chris mullooly is live outside citizens square in fort wayne.chris... what's different about the position?

When dr. mcmahan had it..

It was a full time position... with a salary of up to 160 thousand.now..

The new health commissioner..

Doctor matthew sutter will be part time.its a role of huge importance..

With a huge spotlight since the pandemic started.the board says they're positive..

He's right for the job.

"this meeting is adjourned"it took only 15 minutes to announce and agree unanimously on the new allen county health commissioner....everyone on the health department board agreeing..

.doctor sutter was the right choice.direct and knowledgeable if he doesn't have the info before he speaks he'll get the info to make an educated responsethe position now open due to the retirement of doctor deborah mcmahan.

Doctor james cameron says her replacement will fit in perfectlyand itll give him a new opportunity to look under the hood as far as allen county health so itll be good for his knowledgesutter is the director of medical affairs at adams county memorial hospital...he's a physician who the board says is well respected... and well educated on public health affairs.he knows the topic matter well and hes a physician so he knows how to work on his feet he's well spoken he knows and studied public healththe position comes with some big changes.health commissioner mcmahan was a full time employee... with a salary up to 160 thousand dollars.the board changed that..

At first wanting to split the job into two part time positions."two roles - one clinical, one administrative "they ended up on one role for sutter who will do both.his salary at around 50 thousand dollars..

For a full time salary for a doctor practicing someone has to have a full passion to leave a practicemindy waldring says this is just a temporary adjustment and could change..but believes sutter will do everything he can to keep allen county safe..and says the work mcmahan has done on behalf of the board a heartfelt thank you to dr. mcmahanwill not be forgotten.

One of the most generous ppl we've ever met and we were happy to have her for 20 years doctor sutter will start june 15th.mcmahan is set to retire on the fifth... but will continue as an advisory role while sutter steps in.

Reporting live ... chris mullooly ... fox