Top health official finds new job

The area’s top public health official who has been on the forefront of guiding residents through the worst pandemic in a century is leaving her post next week.
Amy Caron, who has been the public health director for Steele and Dodge counties since June 2015, resigned her position effective Nov. 10. She has accepted a position with Planned Parenthood of North Central States based out of Minneapolis.
“It was a really tough decision to make… I was torn,” said Caron. “This just kind of came up, and I decided I needed a little different direction.”
During Caron’s tenure in the top health role, she became the public face to the COVID-19 crisis for both Steele and Dodge counties. She routinely provided COVID updates for local news media since the pandemic began in March 2020. She also worked behind the scenes coordinating the county’s response to the crisis and helping area residents survive the health scare through education and clinics where they could receive vaccinations.
Caron said the stress of leading a public health agency through a pandemic entered into her decision to step down. However, she said it was only a “minor part” of her decision.
“I wouldn’t say I feel burned out, but I need a change right now,” Caron said. “COVID has taken a toll on everybody. It has definitely impacted all healthcare workers.”
Despite the challenges she encountered with the pandemic, Caron said her heart has been in it every day. “I like being a public servant,” she said. “That’s what my drive is and keeps me going every day.”
She said she will most miss the “people we work for and the people we work with.”
Caron said she regrets leaving the public health agency at this time, especially with the pandemic still going on. “I feel guilty leaving them,” she said. “I have a sense of loyalty to the people I work with.”
Most of Caron’s professional career over the past 25 years has centered on public health. Prior to joining Steele County, she served in the lead role with Waseca County Public Health.
In her new role with Planned Parenthood, Caron will be taking a newly created position where she will be responsible for quality improvement at 30 clinics within the system. It is a remote job with some travel. Caron plans to continue living in the Faribault area.
Caron will be working with teams within Planned Parenthood clinics. “I’m going from the community environment to the clinical environment,” she said. “I will still get to serve populations of people and give them the tools they need to lead a healthy life.”
The Steele County Board of Commissioners has accepted Caron’s resignation and will begin immediately figuring out how to replace her. Caron said it’s her understanding at this time that both Steele and Dodge counties plan to revert back to the way they operated before she was hired for the joint position.
Amber Aaseth, who has 23 years of experience in public health, has served as assistant director under Caron.