Sheila Davies named director of Health and Human Services

Published 12:11 pm Sunday, August 19, 2018

Sheila Davies, director of the Dare County Public Health Division of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), will take on additional responsibilities to become the county’s Director of Health and Human Services at the end of the month, when current HHS director Jay Burrus retires.

As director of Health and Human Services, Davies will continue serving as health director while having oversight of the social services division. The two departments were consolidated in November 2013 under provisions of North Carolina General Statutes. The department employs 195 people and has a budget of $18.2 million.

“Sheila has done a wonderful job leading our health division over the last several years,” said Outten. “She has the knowledge, personality and leadership skills to take on this new role.  I am confident that she will guide a seamless transition and continue what has been achieved over the years. ”

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Davies began serving as the county’s public health director in October 2014 and has provided leadership and direction for the department that includes clinical services, home health and hospice, health education and promotion, preparedness, environmental health, and school health. During her time as health director, Davies has had numerous accomplishments including initiation of child psychiatry services using telemedicine and expansion of PORT Health Services to offer more comprehensive services for Hatteras Island families.

Davies and her family, husband Daryl and sons Wyatt and Chase, live in the Town of Kill Devil Hills where she is active in the local community and currently serves as mayor.

“I am thrilled about this wonderful opportunity,” said Davies. “I have big shoes to fill and am grateful to Jay Burrus for his mentoring, leadership and dedicated service of over 40 years to Dare County. I am surrounded by an amazing team of employees … and am excited about all we will accomplish together to meet the evolving health and social needs of our community.”