Longtime Chattanooga physician and former Signal Mountain Mayor Paul Hendricks has been named Hamilton County health officer and will also serve as medical director for Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department, he revealed Friday.
Dr. Hendricks made the announcement on his facebook page and on League of Signal Mountain Voters, the online non-partisan discussion group he maintains.
“I’m proud to announce that I have embarked on a new adventure,” he wrote.
“I have been appointed as Hamilton County Health Officer and will be medical director for the county health department.
“After over 35 years of clinical and administrative experience, I am honored and thrilled to be able to help lead efforts to improve health outcomes for the citizens of Hamilton County,” he added.
Attempts to reach Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger for comment were unsuccessful.
The news was greeted warmly, however, by other medical and community representatives.
For example, “Fabulous choice!” Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society executive director Rae Bond wrote on facebook. “Looking forward to working with you.”
Dr. Hendricks, who received his medical degree in 1981 from University of Florida College of Medicine, has been working as medical director at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee.
Prior to accepting that position, he was employed as an emergency physician at Chattanooga Emergency Medicine.
He was elected to the Signal Mountain Town Council in 2006, and was mayor for two of the four years he served. He did not seek reelection.