COLUMBUS, Ohio — Just hours after Gov. Mike DeWine appointed Dr. Joan Duwve as the new director for the Ohio Department of Health, she withdrew her name from being considered for the position citing personal reasons.
In a press release, DeWine said they will continue to find someone to fill the position. It’s been vacant since former director Dr. Amy Acton left in June following harassment, saying it was “her time to leave.” When the state began implementing orders to close down businesses during the height of the COVID-19 outbreak, armed demonstrators showed up at her house to protest the orders.
Duwve, who is the current health director for South Carolina, is also an Ohio native. She graduated from North Olmstead High School and the Ohio State University, according to the South Carolina Department of Health’s website.
Soon after she withdrew her name, her resume began to circulate on Twitter.
According to multiple news outlets, a spokesperson from DeWine’s office confirmed that her history with Planned Parenthood had nothing to do with the decision to leave, and that DeWine knew of it before he hired her.
She was due to start her position in Ohio on Oct. 1.
Until DeWine finds a permanent replacement, Lance Himes is the interim director and has been in the position since Acton left.
