Margo Lalich named interim Clatsop County public health director
A familiar face is stepping into the top post at the Clatsop County Public Health Department.
Margo Lalich has been tapped to serve as interim director of the department following the departure of Michael McNickle, who is stepping down to head the Gray’s Harbor County, Wash. health department. She will join the county March 1.
Lalich served with Clatsop County Public Health for 15 years beginning in 1998, when she joined as a public health nurse. She coordinated public health programs including county’s HIV/AIDS case management, immunization, WIC, and other services. She served as the lead public health preparedness coordinator. In 2009 she was selected as Public Health Director and held that position until 2013.
In addition to her work with Clatsop County, Lalich also worked as a nurse for Providence Seaside Hospital from 1992 to 2002. Following her tenure with Clatsop County she served as Director of Health Services for the Multnomah Educational Service District until 2017, and most recently held a contract position as Executive Director of Hawai’i Keiki with the University of Hawaii School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene.
And for almost 20 years she served as a humanitarian response nurse for Medical Teams International of Portland and did tours in Africa, Asia and Europe.
“Cannon Beach and Clatsop County are home to me,” she said. “I look forward to supporting public health and working with community partners to ensure a smooth transition while continuing an effective response to the pandemic.”
The county plans to launch a search for a permanent replacement for McNickle shortly. The Public Health Department has a staff of 25 and an annual budget of $4.1 million.