David A. Papi, director and health officer of the Middlesex County Public Health Department, has retired after more than 40 years with the department.
Papi began his career with the health department as an inspector trainee, rising through the ranks as a sanitary inspector, senior inspector, principal inspector, chief inspector, deputy director and, finally, director in 2003.
Middlesex County officials said that under Papi’s guidance, the county became a recognized leader in public health emergency preparedness and response. Papi has received national and state recognition for his emergency preparedness efforts.
“As director, I have had the opportunity to use my experience in new ways to meet the needs of our communities, which seem to change on an almost daily basis,” Papi said. “I would also like to acknowledge the staff of the Middlesex County Public Health Department, because without them and their support, none of these accomplishments could have been possible.”
According to the county, some highlights of accomplishments from Papi’s tenure are:
In 2010, the department received a score of 99 percent on the local technical assistance review site visit conducted by the state Department of Health and Senior Services and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This was the highest score in the state. Through the 2009-10 H1N1 Preparedness and Pandemic Response Program, the department executed a concentrated public health response to the H1N1 influenza emergency involving local health departments; public, private, and parochial schools; hospitals and health care facilities; and local governments, providing immunization protection to over 115,000 residents.
In 2008, the first Public Health Radiological Response Plan was adopted as a statewide model used by counties and the state Department of Health.
In 2007, the health department drafted the Hazmat Statewide Mutual Aid Agreement, which was adopted by Hazmat units statewide and resulted in Papi receiving the state Department of Environmental Protection’s Leadership in Promoting Excellence award.
Papi is a graduate of Rider University and holds a Master of Arts degree in administration. He received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Army Reserve, where he served in the Chemical Warfare unit.
Papi is married to Pamela and has two daughters, Rebecca and Christina, three grandsons, and triplet granddaughters due this month. Pamela has four children and two grandchildren.
Since Papi’s retirement July 1, Katherine Antonitis has been serving as acting director and health officer.