Carole Samuelson

Carole W. Samuelson (born c. 1941 in Greenville, North Carolina; died February 14, 2009) was a pediatrician and Jefferson County Health Officer from 1985 until her retirement in 2001. The newly-constructed building housing the Eastern Health Center in Roebuck was named in her honor.

Samuelson was born on a tobacco plantation near Greenville, North Carolina. She was a 1968 graduate of the University of North Carolina School of Medicine in Chapel Hill and completed her residency in pediatrics at the Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, New York.

Samuelson joined the Jefferson County Health Department in 1975 as a part-time clinic physician. Within three years she was directing both of the County's primary care clinics. She was promoted to director of the primary care department and then to administrator of the entire health department in 1985.

As director, Samuelson pioneered end-of-life care for county patients through a partnership with Cooper Green Mercy Hospital and UAB Hospital to establish the Balm of Gilead Center hospice.

Upon her retirement the UAB School of Public Health, where she had served as an adjunct assistant professor, announced the establishment of an endowed lectureship in her name. She was also a community volunteer for Region 2020.

She died in February 2009 of complications from ovarian cancer. She was survived by her husband, Paul, two sons and grandchildren.

Preceded by: Mary Tiller

Jefferson County Health Officer 1985–2001

Succeeded by: Michael Fleenor

References

• "Doctor's long, close relationship with tobacco not likely to end." (June 28, 1998) Associated Press
• Walton, Val (February 14, 2009) "Retired Jefferson County, Alabama Health Officer Carole Samuelson dies after battle with cancer." Birmingham News