Jordan selected after extensive search for department director critical to County's battle against COVID-19

WAYNE COUNTY, Mich. - Wayne County has named Melita Jordan as the new Director of the Department of Health, Human and Veterans Services. Jordan was selected to run the County's health and other human services department by Executive Warren C. Evans after an extensive search for a transformative leader. The appointment was unanimously approved by the County Commission.

The Wayne County Department of Health, Human and Veterans Services administers a broad range of services including public health, juvenile justice, jail medical services, veterans, and the Medical Examiner Office.

Jordan began her career as an Advanced Practice Nurse in Midwifery. While practicing, she also served in faculty roles and directed maternal child health hospital units, including as the Director of the Nurse-Midwifery at Temple University's medical school. She most recently served for eight years as the Senior Executive Service Director for the New Jersey Department of Health, Division of Community Health Services, Community Health & Wellness Unit. She previously served as the Director of the Bureau of Family Health for the Pennsylvania Department of Health where she oversaw a 125-member staff and $400 million budget.

"I'm thrilled to have Melita Jordan join our team," said Executive Evans. "Her experience as both a front-line practitioner and as an administrator uniquely positions her to oversee and direct the comprehensive array of health and human services provided by this department in this critical time. I look forward to working with her, not only to safely end the pandemic in Wayne County, but to improve access to care and health equity for our residents moving forward."

Jordan has served on numerous state, federal and local level public health advisory boards and task forces with a particular focus on maternal and child health issues as well as chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. She has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Seton Hall and a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. She also holds a Nursing Diploma from the Philadelphia General Hospital School of Nursing and a Certificate of Nurse Midwifery from the University of Mississippi.

"The health of our residents is critical to the overall health and wellness of a community," said Jordan. "I'm excited for the opportunities presented by this position to improve health outcomes for residents in Michigan's largest and most diverse county."

Jordan was selected from more than 35 candidates; 17 finalists were formally screened and 6 were interviewed. She participated in a rigorous interview process for the Director position, which included four different panel interviews, individual meetings with all direct reports, and an on-site tour of the County's jail medical operations.

"Throughout the process Melita Jordan conveyed a deep passion for driving change to ensure public health-related programs meet the current and changing needs of diverse populations," said Wayne County Chief Operating Officer Genelle Allen. "She brings a wealth of practical, policy, operational and academic experience to this position at a time when the County's health care services are more critical than ever. "

Jordan begins as Health, Human and Veterans Services Director on May 3, 2021. Her annual salary will be $180,000.

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