Meet Delaware County's First Health Department Director

DELAWARE COUNTY, PA — Delaware County took another major step in making sure residents have public health services Thursday, as the Board of Health approved the county's first-ever Health Department Director.

The five-member board Thursday approved Melissa C. Lyon, CPH, as the first Delaware County Health Department Director.

Lyon brings more than 20 years of experience in healthcare and public health to the county in her new role.

She previously served as the Public Health Director for eight years and recently took on the role of COVID-19 Response Incident Commander for the Erie County Health Department, according to the county. In the role as Public Health Director, she hired more than 65 new employees for the COVID-19 Response Division and Public Health Policy and Strategy Division that she created, the county said.

Throughout her career, Lyon has demonstrated her commitment to the advancement of public
health through years of membership and service to the National Association of County and City Health Officials, State Association of County and City Health Officials, and extensive Public Health
Accreditation site visit evaluations.

"This is an exciting next step for the County as we prepare to launch the Delaware County Health Department in January 2022," Delaware County Council Vice Chair Dr. Monica Taylor said. "Melissa will focus on ensuring the health and well-being of our community through the collection and evaluation of hyperlocal data and fostering community partnerships to deliver programs and resources for all residents."

"We look forward to working with Melissa as the Delaware County Health Department takes shape under her leadership," said Frances M. Sheehan, President of The Foundation for Delaware County. "As the organization that established the Delaware County Public Health Fund to help raise charitable donations for the health department’s efforts, we are excited to support Melissa’s work to create the highest quality public health for our county."

Lyon holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology from State University of New York at Fredonia — where she is an adjunct faculty member teaching introduction to public health and the public health seminar — and a master’s degree in Public Health from Kaplan University.

She also guest lectures and speaks at universities and professional association events across the country.