Duffy chosen to lead PHD Board

COEUR d’ALENE — On Thursday it was announced that Don Duffy was confirmed as the director of Panhandle Health District’s Board of Health during a special meeting of the board.

Duffy has been with PHD for the past seven years, serving as the Public Health Services Administrator where he oversaw clinical services, epidemiology, WIC, home health, nurse home visiting, health promotion, and most recently the COVID-19 response.

From the local level, Shoshone County Commissioner and PHD Board member Mike Fitzgerald was pleased with the choice.

“Don is a great guy. I think he is going to do a great job,” Fitzgerald said. “He is a terrific leader and he is really in tune with all of the local communities and the health activities within them.”

Duffy was one of five possible candidates that were considered during the executive session portion of the meeting, but ultimately they landed on the one that had been acting as interim director for the last few months.

“When you already have your guy, I think it’s a pretty easy choice,” Fitzgerald said. “We all really think very highly of Don and what he has already done for us, I think he is going to help a lot.”

Duffy served as the District’s Incident Commander of the COVID-19 pandemic executing multiple planning and logistical decisions while interfacing with the community and health care leaders.

“I appreciate the trust the Board of Health has placed in me,” Duffy said. “I am devoted to the North Idaho community and have developed an abiding respect for the mission of public health.”

Duffy has extensive experience working with the administrative side of health care as he ran a health care consulting company prior to coming on board with PHD, he also is extensively educated with an MBA from Gonzaga University, and master's and Bachelor of Science degrees through Brigham Young University.

Duffy resides in Kootenai County with his wife, Heather, and is the father of six grown children and proud grandpa of 14 grandchildren. He enjoys cycling, skiing, spending time with family and serving within the community.

The Panhandle Health District is one of seven health districts in Idaho and serves Idaho's five northern counties, including Shoshone, Kootenai, Benewah, Bonner and Boundary.