A new director has been hired for the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department.

Daniel L. Partridge, who has worked for 15 years at the Reno County Health Department, will begin his new duties Jan. 16, according to a news release issued Wednesday by the local health department’s board of directors.

Partridge rose through the ranks at the Reno County department, working the past four years as the administrative services supervisor. He was responsible for administrative, accounting and budget preparation, child care licensing, tobacco use prevention and the environmental health staff. He also had been environmental health supervisor for nine years.

“Daniel has demonstrated experience in building and leading collaborative teams,” said Donna Bell, the Douglas County board’s president. “Daniel has a passion for public health and a commitment to healthy communities.”

Bell also noted Partridge’s involvement with the Reno County community. He was chairman of the Reno County Fatherhood Project and served on the Prairie Star Community Health Board. He held numerous positions for the Kansas Association of Sanitarians.

Partridge will replace Kay Kent, who has been health department director for 33 years. She retires at the end of this month. A retirement reception was given Tuesday for Kent. It was attended by city, county and state leaders.

During the search for Kent’s replacement, the health board and a search committee studied the applications of about 25 candidates. Earlier this month, three finalists were selected.

In May, Partridge is scheduled to complete a master’s degree in public health at Kansas University’s School of Medicine in Wichita. He is a 2004 graduate of the Kansas Public Health Leadership Institute and a 2002 graduate of the KU Public Management Center’s Public Health Certificate program. He earned his undergraduate degrees from Kansas State University with a dual degree in fisheries biology and chemical science and a degree in milling science and management. He also is a credentialed registered sanitarian.

Partridge and his wife, Rhonda, have two children, Matthew and Kurt.