Health Officer Frances B. Phillips has accepted a state position, leaving behind the county job she held for the past 15 years.

Starting in December, Mrs. Phillips, 57, will be the deputy secretary of public health services in the state Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. She will oversee statewide efforts in AIDS, family health and other initiatives. The job pays $143,270.

"My current job is the best job of my career and I'm anxious to go forward into a new challenge," Mrs. Phillips said. "This is a wonderful, wonderful county and wonderful health department. I'm grateful for the opportunity to be here as long as I...