Washakie County appoints new public health officer

WORLAND - He spent his summers traveling from Billings to Wyoming and worked at his grandfather's vet clinic.

When he finished his medical training, he wanted to end up back in Worland.

"That was the goal the whole time - to end up back here," Dr. Steven Asay said. "I'm happy to be back here."

Asay earlier this month was appointed to serve as Washakie County's Public Health Officer.

He says the job is to identify any problems that pose risks to members of the community. In the position, he will work with county officials - such as the Washakie County Commission and public health workers. The job could range from coordinating childhood immunization drives to investigating a potential problem with the area's water supply.

"I'm not trying to get famous or draw attention to myself," Asay said. "I think that the county needs someone who's dedicated to making tough decisions if needed and help protect the health and safety of members of the community.

"I realize that not everyone will agree with some of the decisions."

Asay said his priority will be to gain the community's trust and be transparent about the why behind any decisions public health officers make. He wants to make sure the background behind any of those decisions is abundantly clear.

"I just want to be transparent and make the proper decisions that will protect the health and safety of the community," Asay said.

Asay noted that Wyoming has one of the highest suicide rates in the nation. He hopes to find ways to connect people in the community with mental health resources, which will be a major focus as he settles into the role.

He also said the Wyoming and Washakie County's population is continuing to age. With that, the area'\s residents are more prone to incidents like falls.

"As we get older, falls become more of a catastrophic event," Asay said. "We're finding ways in the community to work on fall prevention. That's going to be a point of emphasis for us."

Asay's family is from the Worland area. In high school, he spent his summers in the area working for his grandfather and doing construction work. His wife is from Thermpolis.

Asay knocked out his undergraduate degree in public health at Brigham Young University in Salt Lake City. Then he completed Medical School at the University of Colorado in Aurora.

After that it was a residency in family medicine at a facility in Billings. He's been practicing in the Big Horn Basin for just about a year.

An employee of Hot Springs Health, Asay can be found visiting patients in Worland, Basin and Riverton. He picks up shifts at the hospital in Thermopolis.

Asay's hobbies fit in with a typical Wyoming resident. He volunteers with search and rescue. He likes mountain biking and fly fishing. He also enjoys playing the guitar.