DPH TB Director Retires After 19 Years

Karen Buford retired on November 1 with nearly two decades of service to state government, where she battled to reduce the number of tuberculosis cases in Georgia.

Karen Buford, Director, Tuberculosis Section, retired from the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) on November 1. With more than 19 years of service, Buford has served the Tuberculosis Section in various roles, including Nurse Specialist, Nurse Consultant, and Deputy Director. Buford began her service battling tuberculosis in Georgia under the DeKalb County Board of Health, but the majority of her service, more than 17 years to be exact, has been with the Department.

As she transitioned to retirement, Buford shared her philosophy on public service. “The only constant in our environment is change. It is important to use that change to your advantage with flexibility, ongoing communication, and an increased knowledge in your skill set. This equates to survival in all aspects of your work environment.”

While her service to the Tuberculosis (TB) Section will be a tough act to follow, Buford has many activities planned for her retirement. One of her passions includes using social mobilization as an effective strategy for involving community stakeholders and creating powerful partnerships for change. She also has plans to venture into urban farming.

The mission to control transmission, prevent illness, and ensure treatment of disease due to tuberculosis will continue to be carried out by Dr. Rose-Marie Sales, the newly appointed Director for the TB Section. Andrea Lynn Latham will serve as the Deputy Director. For more information on Georgia’s TB Section, please visit http://health.state.ga.us/programs/tb/.

- Story by Kathy Russell, DPH Communications

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