Niagara County Legislature welcomes new public health director

Dr. Fauzia Khan takes over for now-retired Dan Stapleton

Submitted by the Public Information Office

Niagara County Legislature Chairman Becky Wydysh introduced new Public Health Director Dr. Fauzia Khan to her fellow legislators and county department heads during Tuesday’s meeting. Khan succeeds Dan Stapleton, the long-time public health director who retired earlier this month after 28 years with the county.

Khan brings more than two decades of global and domestic public health experience to Niagara County. She was hired after a nationwide search by the Niagara County Board of Health.

“We are excited to welcome Dr. Khan to Niagara County, as she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position,” Wydysh said. “I want to thank the Board of Health for doing such an extensive search that led to such a highly qualified candidate. The Niagara County Department of Health touches the lives of all of our residents, and we firmly believe Dr. Khan is the right person to lead us forward.”

Khan joins the NCDOH just as it moves into a new, state-of-the-art facility at 55 Stevens St., in Lockport, from its previous location in Shaw Office building on Upper Mountain Road.

“This is an exciting time to be joining the Niagara County Department of Health and I very much appreciate the support of the legislature and the Board of Health,” Khan said. “My predecessor, Dan Stapleton, left a tremendous foundation for us to continue to build upon as we deliver services to residents.”

Khan said her team is currently planning an open house for the new NCDOH facility next month, which will afford her the opportunity to meet members of the community.

“We have many exciting new opportunities at this facility, including the ability to run different types of clinics for residents,” Khan said. “I look forward to welcoming the community to see it firsthand.”