Missouri health director resigning

Associated Press WriterJEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri's state health director is resigning after more than four years of overseeing an agency at the center of bioterrorism preparations and abortion-related disputes.

Maureen Dempsey, 44, is resigning effective Jan. 25 "in order to pursue other professional opportunities," the Department of Health and Senior Services said Thursday.

Dempsey was appointed by then-Gov. Mel Carnahan in June 1997 and was retained by fellow Democratic Gov. Bob Holden, who took office a year ago. A statement from the health department did not elaborate on Dempsey's future plans.

The public profile of the health department has increased greatly since the Sept. 11 attacks and since traces of anthrax were discovered about two months ago at a postal facility in Kansas City.

Dempsey has worked closely with Holden and the state's new homeland security director and recently accompanied both on a trip to Washington, D.C., to discuss security issues with Missouri's congressional delegation and federal homeland security director Tom Ridge.

She also has been at the forefront of the nearly annual legislative battle related to state family planning funding -- an emotional issue for anti-abortion groups and women's health groups.

Some legislative abortion foes called for Dempsey's resignation in 1999 because they said she tried to circumvent a court ruling by giving family planning money to Planned Parenthoood, which also performs abortions.

But Carnahan stood behind Dempsey, proclaiming that she was "doing an excellent job as health director."

Dempsey has worked in the state health department since 1991, serving as director of its Bureau of Immunization before taking over as agency director.

She also has taught at the medical school at the University of Missouri-Columbia and has worked in private practice.