Public Health Leader Angela Lee Honored with Order of the Long Leaf Pine
Mecklenburg County congratulates Angela Lee, retired Assistant Health Director, on being awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.
The Order of the Long Leaf Pine is among the most prestigious awards presented by the Governor of North Carolina, awarded to people with a proven record of extraordinary service to the State. Lee retired in December 2023 after a 30-year career in public health that helped improve the health and well-being of communities across North Carolina.
After serving as health director in Jones and Onslow Counties, Lee joined Mecklenburg County in 2019 as Assistant Health Director for Preventive Health. In that role, she provided leadership for three of the department’s largest programs that have great impact on the community: environmental health, school health, and HIV/STI services.
“Angela is a champion for public health preparedness and response and has worked throughout her career to advance health equity in rural and urban communities,” said County Manager Dena R. Diorio, who presented the award on behalf of Governor Roy Cooper’s office. “She prioritized forging strong relationships across government agencies, and engaging community partners to achieve common goals.”
As a member of Public Health’s leadership team, Lee was instrumental to the department and the County in meeting the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, during which she allocated staff to new and evolving responsibilities, coordinated clinical staff to provide vaccinations at sites across the community, and other invaluable duties.
“Her competence, compassion, and commitment to community inclusion have helped Mecklenburg County Public Health earn a reputation as a trusted partner and reliable provider of care,” said Dr. Raynard Washington, Public Health director, in his recommendation letter. “Angela’s record of service to the health of North Carolina, from the coast to the piedmont, make her a worthy recipient of this award.”’