Public Health: An Institution lacking Integrity, Part I

Public Health: An Institution lacking Integrity, Part I

in·teg·ri·ty

[inˈteɡrədē]

NOUN

1.         the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness:

"he is known to be a man of integrity"

Integrity: You have it or you don’t. The importance of integrity has been ingrained in American culture since its founding.  After all, our first president, George Washington was known and respected for his honesty ever since he couldn’t tell a lie about cutting down that cherry tree.

Growing up in a rural Virginian community in the 60’s and 70’s, I was surrounded by hardworking men and women who valued integrity and had plenty of it.  My father, Jackson Newbill Miller (known to many as “Newbill”) could be described as a true southern gentleman with a firm handshake, kind eyes, and an infectious smile.  Newbill was a husband, father (and later grandfather), United States Army veteran, a cattleman, an avid fox hunter, and a public servant.  As a life-long resident of Rappahannock County, he entered public service at an early age and was elected to the Rappahannock County Board of Supervisors and served as its youngest Chairman at the age of 28. He also served on the County Planning Commission, School Board, Washington Town Council and was twice elected mayor of the town of Washington, Virginia (Once by a write in ballot organized by several of the town’s women).