BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Whatcom County’s former health director is pushing back on her firing as the county begins the process of finding her replacement. 

Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu made the announcement yesterday, citing a need for “better alignment with the county’s strategic priorities.”

It came roughly two weeks after the county placed its previous director of health and community services, Erika Lautenbach, on leave under unclear circumstances.

Whatcom County spokesperson Jed Holmes says Sidhu established a new leadership structure in his office last year, which emphasized more departmental oversight and stability of the county’s budget and operations.

According to Holmes, Sidhu determined that he needed to find new leadership in the health department that better aligned with those priorities.

Still, Sidhu applauded Lautenbach’s accomplishments during her time as director.

“Ms. Lautenbach led WCHCS through the difficult years of the pandemic and oversaw a significant expansion of the department’s services, including the Response Systems Division, Healthy Children’s Fund, Fentanyl response plan and severe weather shelters,” Sidhu said. “We are very grateful for these accomplishments and wish her well on her future personal and professional endeavors.” 

In a statement sent to My Bellingham Now, Lautenbach stated she was surprised to have received the notice of termination.

“I was surprised to receive a notice of termination by Executive Sidhu this morning, as I believed our legal teams were negotiating a separation agreement in good faith and we were still within the lawfully required period of time for my consideration,” Lautenbach said in a statement emailed to My Bellingham Now.

“I have served the County with integrity and have, in all matters, put the health and safety of the public first. I did nothing illegal, unethical or otherwise. The reasons stated for my termination are inaccurate. I have been concerned for some time by the Executive’s actions and believe this termination is directly related to these concerns. I intend to fight this wrongful termination and will provide a more complete statement in the coming days.”

The Whatcom County Council is expected to vote on Sidhu’s nomination of assistant director Charlene Ramont as interim director on Tuesday, March 25. Until then, county health officer Dr. Amy Harley will serve as the agency’s acting director.

Holmes says the county will begin its search for a permanent director in the coming weeks.