Spokane Regional Health District administrative officer asks Dr. Bob Lutz to step down

SPOKANE, Wash. — The Spokane Regional Health District’s administrative officer was the one who requested Health Officer Dr. Bob Lutz step down.

Amelia Clark’s request was brought up to the health district board during an executive session on Thursday night. During a press conference Friday, Clark refused to answer why she made her request, saying it was a “personnel” matter.

A letter was sent to staff at the health district stating Lutz’s last day was Friday, but again, there has been no clarification on whether he was terminated or resigned on his own. 4 News Now obtained a copy of the email through a public records request.

Lutz, who has been leading the county’s COVID-19 response since the start of pandemic, was appointed as the county health officer in June 2017.

Clark has been with the health district since August 2019.  She was selected by a committee of five board members.

RELATED: Spokane Regional Health District refuses to answer questions about Lutz’s departure

Editor’s Note: An earlier press releases state the health board asked Lutz to resign, however, County Commissioner Jared Webley confirmed it was Clark who made the request. Additionally, an earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that the vice chair would take the role of county health officer should they be removed by the board.