The medical consultant and health officer situation in Coffey County is now resolved.
Dr. Jeff Sloyer was sworn in as Coffey County’s medical consultant and health officer after a unanimous vote by the Coffey County Commission in a special session. Sloyer joined Coffey Health System in 2004 after an internship at Salina Regional Health Center, undergraduate education at Wichita State and medical school at the University of Kansas. His current duties with Coffey Health System include family medicine and obstetrics.
Sloyer’s appointment followed the sudden resignation of Dr. John Shell late last month. Shell had served Coffey County in both roles, along with deputy coroner, for 15 years, but resigned all his roles with the county after commissioners decided not to follow his guidance to adhere to Governor Laura Kelly’s recently-announced face-covering protocol. Health Director Lindsay Payer had discussed next steps with county commissioners in a special meeting earlier in the week as the county worked towards a long-term solution.
Shell is staying on with his roles as doctor and chief of staff at Coffey Health System. He did not receive any financial compensation for his services as medical consultant or health officer. Sloyer says he is not seeking compensation at this time. He will report on the potential need for compensation at a later time.
Shell’s departure had forced the Coffey County Health Department to halt coronavirus tests, immunizations, STD tests, tuberculosis skin tests, birth control measures, daycare or school physicals and Kan Be Healthy exams. Those services are now resuming.
