After 27 years as the health officer for Clallam County, Dr. Tom Locke announced on Dec. 10 that he was resigning effective Jan. 31.

Locke is leaving his position to become a co-medical director of the Jamestown Family Health Clinic in Sequim.

In this new job, he will continue his work with the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe in developing and enforcing the tribe’s public health code and take on new duties for program development, quality assurance and medical supervision of the clinic’s diverse services.

Locke will share medical director responsibilities with Drs. Larri Ann Mishko and Paul Cunningham, the current co-medical directors of the clinic.

“It has been a great honor to serve as Clallam County health officer for the past 27 years,” said Locke, “but it is now time to recruit and hire a new county health officer. I am excited about the opportunity to return to my roots in clinical medicine and focus on the many challenges that face our health care system in the 21st century.”

Locke added, “The Jamestown Family Health Clinic has shown extraordinary leadership in implementing the health care delivery model known as the ‘patient-centered medical home’ and expanding services to meet the primary care needs of Clallam County residents.

“Fundamental reform of the health care delivery system is under way at a state and national level to make it more affordable, improve the patient experience of care and increase the overall health of the community.

“This is a career opportunity I simply could not pass up.”

Locke will continue in his role as Jefferson County health officer, where he has served for the past 18 years. He also serves as chairman of the board of trustees of the Washington Dental Service Foundation and is on a number of statewide health care advisory committees.

Locke has made his home in Clallam County since 1979 and will continue to do so.

Recruitment efforts will be overseen by the Clallam County Department of Human Resources.

The Clallam County Board of Health will review the applications and conduct interviews.

For more information, contact Iva Burks, director, Clallam County Health and Human Services, at 417-2329 or iburks@co.clallam.wa.us.