For Release: IMMEDIATE
Date: January 31, 2006

Two County Health Directors Receive State Awards

RALEIGH— George F. Bond, Jr., director of the Buncombe County Health Center, and William J. (Bill) Smith, IV, director of the Robeson County Health Department, have received statewide 2006 Ronald H. Levine Legacy Awards for Public Health in recognition of each man’s many contributions to public health on the local, state and national levels.

Named for former North Carolina State Health Director Dr. Ron Levine, the annual award honors individuals whose life work on behalf of the public’s health has resulted in significant, sustainable and positive improvements in North Carolina’s public health system.

Bond began his public health career in 1971 at the Durham County Health Department. He became director of the Henderson County Health Department in 1975, establishing a general medical clinic, a Hospice program, and a significant Home Health program. In 1987, Bond left public health for a period to work with his own construction company and as general manager of a health care and retirement community management firm.

Returning to public health in 1996, Bond was named director of the Buncombe County Health Center, where he has built a distinguished record of achievement in public health capacity, policy development, effective partnership building, and advocacy for public health system improvements and reforms. Under his leadership, the Buncombe County Health Center was the first local health department to earn state accreditation, meeting all 41 accreditation standards.

Among his accomplishments is the development of a managed-care program that maximizes Medicare funds; a nationally recognized program for the medically uninsured called Project Access that provides health care services through a partnership of public and private providers; countywide coalition of schools and health care providers called Alliance for Student Health that helps ensure that children get school-based health care; dental care programs including dental sealants for third-graders; and a nonprofit Public Health Foundation to secure grants and handle contributions for health initiative for the uninsured people in Buncombe County.

Bond received his undergraduate degree and master’s degree in Public Health Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Bill Smith’s public health career began in 1977. He was appointed Health Director for Robeson County Health Department in August 1988.

Smith is known for his successful efforts to strengthen public health though partnerships and collaboration. On the local level, Smith’s accomplishments include the development of a model obstetrical care program incorporating private/public partnerships; development and implementation of Robeson County Intensive Livestock Operation Rules; development of multi-county, public/private, immunization tracking system; the establishment of three primary care clinics; and the development of a Satellite Animal Shelter. Under his leadership, the Robeson County Health Department achieved Jail Health Service accreditation after only 20 months of operation and Home Health Services accreditation.

Smith received his undergraduate degree from the University of South Carolina and a Master of Public Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Smith and Bond were presented with the awards by State Health Director Leah Devlin at the 2006 State Health Directors Conference in Raleigh on Jan. 27.

###