Warren Sayre M.D. has been named interim public health officer for Knox County and will serve through the end of December.
The executive search firm, Baker Tilly, is conducting a nationwide search to fill the public health officer role Dr. Martha Buchanan vacated at the end of March. A permanent public health officer could be selected prior to the end of the year.
Warren Sayre M.D.
Dr. Sayre was selected by KCHD for this temporary role based on his extensive experience and qualifications. His selection was then approved by Tennessee Commissioner of Health Dr. Lisa Piercey.
Dr. Sayre, a board-certified physician, has a master’s degree in public health from Emory University in Atlanta. During his master’s program, he worked on several initiatives with the Knox County Health Department.
“The most rewarding aspect of my master’s program was working with Knox County,” Dr. Sayre said in a press statement. “KCHD opened my eyes to what community health, health disparities and environmental health really mean. The opportunity to work with KCHD in this interim role is a way I can pay back the enlightening educational experience they afforded to me.”
Dr. Sayre is currently the Corporate Health Director for Consolidated Nuclear Security at the Y12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge and will continue this work in addition to his public health officer responsibilities.
Kelsey Wilson is division director of communications for the Knox County Health Department.