The two top leaders of Marion County’s Health & Human Services department departed this week, according to an internal email obtained by Salem Reporter.
Department staff learned Wednesday, April 22, that Ryan Matthews, the county’s Health & Human Services administrator, and Katrina Griffith, the agency’s deputy director, were no longer employed by the county. Both are longtime county public health employees.
County employees told Salem Reporter their departure was abrupt.
The notice came in a Wednesday afternoon email, signed by Jan Fritz, the chief administrative officer for the Board of Commissioners, and Commissioners Colm Willis, Kevin Cameron and Danielle Bethell.
The email said that the two leaders “are no longer with the county and have decided to pursue new opportunities. On behalf of the Board of Commissioners and myself, I want to sincerely thank them for their contributions and wish them all the best in the future.”
Neither Matthews or Griffith could immediately be reached for comment on Thursday.
The email did not explain the circumstances of their departure, or clarify whether they resigned or were fired. Spokespeople for the county did not answer Salem Reporter’s questions on the matter.
“Marion County does not comment on personnel matters,” said Jon Heynen, county spokesman in a Thursday email.
According to the email to staff, Troy Gregg, the county’s juvenile department director, will take over Matthews’ role in the interim. He will officially start Monday, April 27. Alicia Cozad will become acting director of the juvenile department.
Gregg did not immediately return a call from Salem Reporter Thursday asking about the transition.
“We recognize that leadership changes can feel unsettling, and we want you to know that we have complete confidence in each of you. We know you will continue to deliver the excellent, compassionate care and service you are known for, and that together we will move forward successfully,” the email to staff said.
Katrina Griffith, formerly Rothenberger, worked as the incident commander at Marion County Health & Human Services Covid incident commander in 2020. (AMANDA LOMAN/Salem Reporter)
Marion County’s Health & Human Services Department has a total budget of $124 million, which county leaders have proposed cutting by $6 million this year, according to the county’s proposed budget. The department has over 500 employees, according to the budget.
The department oversees the county’s programs in behavioral health, addiction treatment, services for people with disabilities and public health.
That includes the county’s newly expanded behavioral health crisis center, and the mental health professional on the new Rapid Engagement, Assessment & Community Health (REACH) team working in downtown Salem. The department also works with local hospitals to expand access to health care and runs the county’s Woman, Infants and Children program providing food to low-income families.
Both leaders guided Marion County through the Covid pandemic, where their jobs included educating the public about how to limit the spread of the virus and coordinating the county’s vaccine clinics.
Matthews joined the health department as a budget analyst in 2004, according to his LinkedIn page. He then worked as an administrative services manager from 2010 to 2017, before becoming the department’s administrator in January 2020.
In 2024, to celebrate 20 years with the county, staff signed messages of congratulations thanking him for his kindness and leadership, and wishing him many more years with the agency, according to a photo posted on social media.
Griffith previously worked as a public health administrator in Polk County before becoming the Public Health Division Director in Marion County in 2018, according to her LinkedIn page. She became the department’s deputy director in May 2022.
Managing Editor Rachel Alexander contributed reporting.
Contact reporter Abbey McDonald: [email protected] or 503-575-1251.
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Abbey McDonald joined the Salem Reporter in 2022. She previously worked as the business reporter at The Astorian, where she covered labor issues, health care and social services. A University of Oregon grad, she has also reported for the Malheur Enterprise, The News-Review and Willamette Week.