Politics & Government

Worcester Health Director Stepping Down For Town Manager Role

The first woman to lead the Worcester Division of Public Health will go to work for Millbury.

Worcester Division of Public Health Director Karyn Clark is stepping down after 22 years at City Hall.
Worcester Division of Public Health Director Karyn Clark is stepping down after 22 years at City Hall. (Neal McNamara/Patch)

WORCESTER, MA — The first woman to lead the Worcester Division of Public Health will step down from the role to take a job in Millbury town government.

Karyn Clark has been the WDPH director since 2015, but has been working in the department for more than 20 years. She will leave the role to become Millbury's assistant town manager and human resources director, a city spokesman confirmed Friday.

The WDPH also operates health departments for local towns around Worcester, including Grafton, Millbury, Shrewsbury and West Boylston. The department oversees a variety of public health functions, from water quality testing to disease prevention and permitting.

Clark began working in city government in 2000, helping to open the city's first senior center. She also led the public health division to become the first in Massachusetts to be accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board in 2016.

The Worcester Board of Health will meet Monday to discuss Clark's replacement.