SAN ANTONIO — Less than six months after the departure of San Antonio's last Metro Health director, the city will be looking to fill the role yet again—Colleen Bridger plans to step down from her positions come January 8, 2021.
In a letter to City Manager Erik Walsh dated Oct. 21, Bridger notified local leaders of her intentions while reflecting on recent successes, including the creations of various Metro Health units, before adding that "running point" on the city's novel coronavirus pandemic response "has been the single most difficult thing I have done professionally."
"To be honest, had I known all that we'd face over the last four months, I don't know if I would have agreed to stay on," Bridger writes in the letter. "But stay on I did."
Along with serving as the city's top health authority in an interim capacity following the departure of Dawn Emerick over the summer, Bridger has also served as assistant city manager since July of 2019.
“Colleen has done an outstanding job while facing extraordinarily challenges. Her work on Tobacco 21, domestic violence, migrant care and, of course, COVID-19 leave a lasting legacy of which she should be very proud," Walsh said in a statement. "I am especially appreciative of her dedication to remain with the city through 2020 and continue leading the community through a critical period.”
As of now, it's unclear who will take over those positions in her absence come the new year. City Spokesperson Laura Mayes said "recruitment is underway" when it comes to finding a new assistant city manager, and no information was provided on the search for a new health director.