Delaware County Health Commissioner Shelia Hiddleson announced last week she will retire from her role with the Delaware Public Health District on Dec. 31.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the Delaware County community these past 10 years,” Hiddleson said. “The support of the staff and the Board of Health – especially during the pandemic – was all that I could ever have hoped for when I began this journey.”

A press release issued Friday by the DPHD states Hiddleson has accepted a full-time position with the national Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB), “where she will be able to use her skills, many of which were honed in Delaware, to influence quality public health services and programs across the country. “

A registered nurse, Hiddleson hold a diploma of nursing, a bachelor’s degree in nursing, and a master’s degree in administration with a focus on healthcare administration. In addition to her new position with the PHAB, Hiddleson plans to relocate out of state next year to be closer to her family.

“Thank you all very much for your support and faith in my abilities to serve this community,” Hiddleson added. “It has been a pleasure, and I hope that our paths cross again in the future.”

According to the press release, the search has already begun to find Hiddleson’s replacement “in hope that Hiddleson’s extended notice will have some overlap to assist her successor and the Health District in any way possible.”

The application for the health commissioner position can be found online at DelawareHealth.org/careers.