Dr. Lori Hougham is the new health officer/medical consultant for the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department, taking over for Dr. Loree Cordova, who handled the position for the past three years.

Hougham, who specializes in family medicine, practices at Lawrence Family Medicine and Obstetrics, where she has worked since July 2004.

Hougham attended medical school at the University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine, graduating in 2001. She completed her residency at the University Of Missouri-Kansas City School Of Medicine at Truman Medical Center.

The health officer/medical consultant position is filled by a local physician whose duties include overseeing the investigation and prevention of communicable diseases and conditions injurious to health.

The doctor also makes recommendations and referrals for treatment, approves medical protocols and serves as a resource for staffers.