UG Names Dr. Elisha Caldwell as New Health Department Director

Published on October 05, 2023

The Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas (UG) is pleased to announce the hiring of Dr. Elisha Caldwell as the permanent Director for the Wyandotte County Health Department. Following a nationwide recruitment effort, Dr. Caldwell begins work with the Unified Government today, October 5, 2023.

Dr. Caldwell comes to the Health Department most recently from North Carolina, where he previously served as Health Director for the Scotland County Health Department during a portion of the COVID epidemic. He also brings international public health experience, having led a consortium of international non-governmental and civil society organizations in the U.S., Liberia, Tanzania, and Malawi, as well as working in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and South Sudan.

Dr. Caldwell has taught graduate courses in public health at Campbell University and Southern Illinois University. He brings a wealth of varied experiences and a commitment to collaborative leadership.

“We are extremely excited to have Dr. Caldwell come on board to serve as Director of the Wyandotte County Health Department,” said County Administrator David Johnston. “Dr. Caldwell’s vast experience, passion and leadership skills is exactly what we need to help continue and move forward the great and impactful work our Health Department staff has already done thus far.”

“Public health service is a collective effort and shares decision making because disease has no borders,” said Wyandotte County Public Health Department Director, Dr. Elisha Caldwell. “I am excited to hit the ground running to fully understand and address the health needs of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas.

As Dr. Caldwell becomes acclimated to his role and the Wyandotte County community, be on the lookout for opportunities at the upcoming Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) engagement sessions and other community events to meet and greet him.