The Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department might have a new leader by week’s end.

The health department’s board of directors will select one of three final candidates, board president Donna Bell said Tuesday.

Bell declined to identify the three candidates but said the search to replace outgoing director Kay Kent had been ongoing since Kent announced her retirement in the summer. Her retirement becomes official at the end of the month.

Bell made her announcement shortly before a reception for Kent began Tuesday at the health department auditorium, 200 Maine. Attending were city, county and state leaders, including Rod Bremby, secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

Kent has been the health department’s director for 33 years.

“She has been a leader in the public health field not just in Lawrence but in the state of Kansas and nationally, where her expertise has been sought,” Bell said. “She has organizational history in her head that’s tough to replace.”

Kent said she was excited about retirement.

“It’s the time of my life when I want to spend more time with family and friends and pursue many other interests,” she said.

Glenna Graham, left, laughs with friend and former co-worker Kay Kent, center, and Kent's husband Bob Kent on Tuesday during a retirement reception at the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department. Kay Kent is retiring as director of the health department after working there for 33 years.

Kent came to the health department as director in 1973. She is not a physician, and a change in the state law at the time allowed her to take the helm with a public nursing background. She was the first nonphysician health officer in the state.

“We always had a medical consultant on medical matters, and I think that and the combination of my background has worked,” she said.

When Kent took over the health department, she had eight employees and a $100,000 annual budget. She leaves it with 50 employees and a $3.2 million budget.

Under Kent’s direction, a number of public health programs were started, including those for pregnant teens and low-income mothers who need health care and related services, and HIV testing and counseling. She helped create Health Care Access Inc., which provides services to those in need, and helped organize the Douglas County Interagency Network on Aging, to name a few achievements.

“You never wait for something to happen,” Kent said. “You plan. You better be ready.”

The board retained the firm of Wood-Snodgrass Executive Search Consultants to help with the director search, Bell said. An initial list of 25 candidates was narrowed to about a half-dozen. Kent and Bell conducted the first round of interviews.

“Having her help was extremely valuable,” Bell said.

Earlier this month a search committee whittled the final candidates down to three. On that committee were Lawrence Assistant City Manager Debbie Van Saun, County Administrator Craig Weinaug and Nancy Jorn, director of the department’s Maternal Child Health Services, and the health department’s board of directors.

The board will make the final selection, Bell said.

“We’re looking for someone that’s got the passion for public health Kay has brought for 33 years to this community,” Bell said. “We want someone who also has a comprehensive view of public health as well as one who has experience in collaborative efforts.”