Swift hired as new health director
Forsyth County has hired Joshua Swift to be the county’s new Public Health director.
Swift, 41, was most recently the health director of Caldwell County, a position he held for about a year. Prior to that, he was the deputy health director in New Hanover from 2011-2017 and health director in Stokes County from 2008-2011. Prior to that, he worked for the health departments in Wilkes and Iredell Counties.
“I am very excited about becoming the health director for the Forsyth County Department of Public Health,” said Swift. “ My goal is that we continue to serve all the residents of Forsyth County and improve the health of the community. This includes the services we offer, along with working with other organizations and groups in Forsyth to address health disparities and social determinants of health.”
Swift has a Bachelor of Science in Health Education and Promotion from Appalachian State University and a Master in Public Health from the University of South Carolina. He is the past president of the N.C. Public Health Association (NCPHA). He’s a recipient of the Charles Blackmon Leadership Award from the N.C. Healthy Carolinians Office and a special award from the N.C. Public Health Association.
Swift, who is originally from Surry County, said he applied for the Forsyth County position because he wanted an opportunity to serve a larger county and be closer to his family.
Swift replaces Marlon Hunter, who left in August to be chief executive of ReGenesis Health Care in South Carolina. Swift will assume his new position on Nov. 13.
