UAG Alumni settling in as Mohave County Health Director

Kingsley says “The unexpected outcomes that guided me to Public Health leadership have developed my capacity to strategically seek solutions. I enjoy discovering the why and how because I like to listen. When I listen, I can understand how to act. In essence, that is public health. Any public health department must collect information and see where and how to act effectively. The key to that action is consistent relationship building.”

In the two months since he became health director, Kingsley said he believes “the greatest rewards have been getting to know the public health and county staff and speaking with Mohave County residents and decision-makers.”

His busy schedule includes continuing public meetings in Kingman, Lake Havasu City and Bullhead City throughout the week, and thanks to the “Let’s Talk” Community Meetings organized by the Economic Development Department, he’s already been to Meadview, Oatman, Dolan Springs, and Yucca, and attended a health fair in Peach Springs.

The doctor has considerable philosophy behind his dealings and has two adages he employs. The first is “closed mouths don’t get fed” and the other is “to make them tell you no.”

He wants to hear what the community needs and has to say, even when it’s a grievance, saying, “a resident’s frustration in many cases is simply an unmet need. Everyone wants to and deserves to be treated fairly.”

It’s a thoughtful and optimistic belief, Kingsley adds. “It is my role to facilitate a positive and hopefully compassionate outcome. Sometimes the answer will be no, but it’s still an answer that’s an opportunity to learn and grow.”