Meet the 2010 Scholars

Francis Kateh, MD, MHA, MPS/HSL
Public Health Director
Anson County Health Department
Wadesboro NC 

Francis N. Kateh, MD, MHA, MPS/HSL is the Public Health Director of Anson County, NC. He was hired by the Board of Health in May 2004. The office directs other managers/ supervisors, professional, technical and support staff in the delivery of agency services to protect and promote public health. Work involves providing leadership and directing program development and implementation, establishing program standards and monitoring and evaluating quality of service delivery systems. Supervises budget activities and may maintain direct involvement in conflict/complaint resolution, staffing and personnel issues, and serves as the principle spokesperson for the agency relative to public health issues.

Prior to this position, Dr. Kateh served as Chief Medical Officer/ Head of Surgery of Ganta United Methodist Hospital, Ganta, Nimba County, Liberia, West Africa. The Hospital caters to more than 400,000 combined population within Nimba County, and its environs (part of Guinea and Ivory Coast). In that capacity, Dr. Kateh developed a network within the United States that helped in the complete renovation of the Hospital and provided the necessary equipments and other resources making the Hospital one of the best in the country after almost ten years of civil war that left the Hospital in a dilapidated state. In addition, he worked with USAID (United States Aid for International Development) War Victim Fund Branch in the construction of a Prosthetic and orthotic Workshop at over 3.5 million in providing services to those that lost their lower limbs during the civil war and others that were impacted by polio. As Head of Surgery, Dr. Kateh performed over 1500 surgeries (C-sections, Total Abdominal Hysterectomies, Bowel Resection and Anastomosis, Hernioraphies, Hdrocelectomies, Amputations, Spleenectomies, etc).

Dr. Kateh completed his undergraduate degree in Biology from MacMurray College, Jacksonville, IL. He obtained his medical degree from Spartan Health Sciences University, Vieux Fort, St. Lucia, West Indies, and completed his internship in General Medicine with emphasis in General Surgery at John F. Kennedy Memorial Medical Center, Monrovia, Liberia. Upon his return to the United States, Dr. Kateh pursued and graduated with a Master of Health Administration degree from Governors State University, University Park, IL. In addition, Dr. Kateh matriculated to the University of Connecticut where he obtained a Master of Professional Studies in Homeland Security Leadership with emphasis in Public Health Disaster Preparedness.

Dr. Kateh is married to Ophelia and they are blessed with four kids.