New Cobb, Douglas Public Health Director Named

MARIETTA, GA — Cobb & Douglas Public Health is getting a new director. Dr. Janet Pak Memark, has been appointed to replace Dr. Jack Kennedy, who plans to retire in May.

Memark, an associate director with WellStar Kennestone Regional Medical Center , will start work with the public health agency on April 2.

Memark received both her Master of Public Health and Doctor of Medicine degrees from the University of Miami's Miller School of Medicine. She is a board-certified physician in internal medicine who trained at Loyola University Medical Center outside of Chicago.

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She began her medical career as a general internist with the Department of Veterans Affairs, caring for veterans in an academic setting that also involved the training of medical students and resident physicians.

In 2013, Memark joined the WellStar Health System as the medical director of Community Health, overseeing all of the WellStar community health clinics. She then joined the new WellStar Graduate Medical Education initiative for WellStar Kennestone Regional Medical Center as associate program director for the new Internal Medicine Program.

"We welcome Dr. Memark to the Department of Public Health," said Dr. J. Patrick O’Neal, M.D., a DPH commissioner. "Her insights in health care and extensive work in community health will continue to strengthen the initiatives established by Dr. Kennedy in Cobb & Douglas Health District, while fostering new partnerships and programs."

A resident of Cobb County with two school-aged children, Memark enjoys hiking, exploring waterfalls and other outdoor activities in her free time, according to a department news release. Professionally, she has a passion for advocacy for vulnerable populations, health disparities, and access to health services.

Cobb & Douglas Public Health, in conjunction with the Georgia Department of Public Health, works to track and prevent the spread of disease, promote health and safety, provide medical services and ensure the community is prepared for public health emergencies.

Photo courtesy Cobb & Douglas Public Health