(KAIR)--It's official: a new Executive Director is appointed for the North East Kansas Multi-County Health Departments, with a release from the agency saying Deanna Lamb begins her new role effective on the first day of August.

According to the release, "Lamb brings a wealth of experience in healthcare leadership, community engagement, and strategic planning, and will lead the department in its mission to promote and protect the health of residents across Atchison, Brown, and Jackson counties."

According to the release, Lamb, prior to accepting the NEK role, "served as CEO of "C" Suite Consulting, where she supported various non-profits with leadership, financial management, organizational development, clinical operations, human resources, and grant writing and management." Holding a Masters of Healthcare Administration from Southern New Hampshire State University, Lamb is an Army Veteran serving at Womack Army Medical Center.

NEK Board President, Jessica Jarvis, saying in the release the agency is "thrilled to welcome" Lamb, adds that Lamb "brings a deep understanding healthcare needs and a strong commitment to equity, prevention, and community-based solutions.”

Lamb, in the release, says she is "looking forward to continuing the great work that NEK has done as well as finding new opportunities to expand services and addressing current and future public health needs.”

Lamb succeeds Kristina Henry, who served, the release says, "with distinction in the agency for ten years," with the release noting that "under her leadership, the department expanded its services, strengthened partnerships, and responded to critical public health challenges with resilience."

The NEK Multi-County Health Departments serves residents through a wide range of programs including immunizations, maternal and child health, family planning, sexual health, environmental health, and chronic disease prevention, while its NEK Home Health and Hospice branch provides home health and hospice care to patients of Atchison, Brown, and Jackson Counties.