After 25 years with El Paso County Public Health, Executive Director Susan Wheelan is calling it a career.

Wheelan, who served the county’s health department in multiple roles before assuming leadership in 2019, will retire effective March 3, according to a Wednesday news release.

“Director Wheelan’s retirement leaves me with mixed emotions,” said Ted Collas, president of the El Paso County Board of Health.

“First, I am so happy for Susan. Having reached 25 years of service, working through the challenges of the pandemic, she has grown both the efficiency and effectiveness of the agency. Susan has done an incredible job for the citizens of our County. However, I am also sad to part ways with a friend and colleague. Susan has set a high bar, and her replacement will have large shoes to fill.”

A 1997 graduate of the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Wheelan joined El Paso County Public Health as an environmental health specialist in 1999. While with the county health agency, she held various roles including public information officer, communications director, administrative hearing officer, health promotion and disease prevention division director and deputy director. She was appointed interim director in September 2018 and assumed the agency’s top job in February 2019.

During her tenure as executive director, Wheelan shepherded the county through the widespread fear and uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and oversaw several milestones, including a workforce expansion, advancements in behavioral health care and the launch of the Public Health Data and Analytics Program.

Wheelan’s recognitions and awards include: The Colorado Springs Business Journal Woman of Influence; Spirit of the Springs Award from former Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers; Colorado Springs CEO Series Honoree; Latina of the Year award from the Latina Equity Foundation; Pikes Peak United Way Community’s Most Valuable Player Award; Pikes Peak Women’s Heroines of the Pandemic; and the Spirit of Fountain Award.

“I am immensely proud of our Public Health team’s dedication, skill, and resilience in addressing challenges and meeting the needs of our community,” Wheelan said in a statement.

“I will always treasure the collaborative and meaningful work we’ve accomplished together with our partners to improve the health and well-being of the residents of El Paso County.”

The county health agency will announce plans for recruitment and continuity of operations in the coming weeks, the release stated.

“The commitment and expertise of our team will assure that the agency is well-positioned for continued success,” Wheelan said.