Missouri Health Department Director Doctor Maureen Dempsey has announced her resignation. Dempsey, who has served in her current position since June of 1997, will leave her job on January 25th. Dempsey says she plans to pursue other professional opportunities. Prior to being named Health Department Director, Dempsey served in several key positions within the Department, including Chief of the Bureau of Immunization and as a medical director for the Department’s Maternal, Child, and Family Health division. Ron Cates, the Department’s Chief Operating Officer, will serve as Interim Director of the Department until a replacement is chosen.