On March 8th, Mississippi’s respected State Health Officer Thomas Dobbs, MD, MPH, officially announced that he was resigning from his position at the end of July. Although many close to him knew he had never planned to stay in this role for an extended period, his resignation took most in the state’s political and medical establishment by surprise. In comments to me, Dr. Dobbs acknowledged his goal to make an impact on his state and its public health system as State Health Officer, and he stated that he had always sought to make his mark in other roles, especially in hands-on patient care and academic medicine. He asserted, “I feel like the time is right for me to return to the clinical side of medicine.” Dobbs added that he would love to return to academic medicine to teach about infectious disease and public health. Certainly, those of us who have shared patients with him, especially through his HIV practice, can readily acknowledge his special gifts as a clinician and teacher.
Dobbs began his career at the Department of Health in 2008 and served in several leadership roles prior to his service as State Health Officer, including District Health Officer, State Epidemiologist, and Deputy State Health Officer. That period of service included a return to private medical practice before coming back to the agency to succeed Dr. Mary Currier as Mississippi’s top physician.
Upon hearing of his announcement, Gov. Tate Reeves, who worked closely with him during the worst days of the pandemic, commented: “Congratulations on a well-earned move. I hope you can get some rest from the constant crises, but also feel pretty confident you’ll find your way to the front-lines of helping others in your next role. Grateful for your friendship and counsel during hard times.” Cartoonist Marshall Ramsey captured best the state’s feelings. Drawing Dobbs as a runner completing the COVID Marathon, Ramsey referred to 2 Timothy 4:7, having Dobbs think to himself, “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith… Now if I can remember where my house is.” Ramsey added in the corner, “Thank you, Dr. Dobbs.” Such sincere gratitude for Dr. Dobbs is shared by the physicians of Mississippi for a job well done.