Joan Gumkowski has been director of the Dearborn Health Department since 1990. A career City employee, Gumkowski began work as a typist clerk in 1977. During her tenure with the City, the graduate of Sacred Heart High School earned an Associate of Commerce degree from Henry Ford Community College, a Bachelor of Arts degree from Madonna University, and a Master of Arts degree in Public Health Administration at Eastern Michigan University. Gumkowski initiated a comprehensive wellness program for City employees in 1991. This program earned the Gold Healthy Workplace Award from the Michigan Governor's Council of Physical Fitness, Health and Sports in 1999 and again in 2000. Working closely with Mayor Guido, Gumkowski began an extensive Annual Breast Health Awareness program for the community in 1997. The State of Michigan and the National Conference of Mayors Best Practices recognized Dearborn for five years for its work on this important public health issue. Gumkowski is a member of the Michigan Public Health Association, American Public Health Association (Health Administration section) and American Association for World Health. For her outstanding leadership and commitment to health initiatives, Gumkowski was elected to the Michigan Red Cross Board of Directors in 2005 and received the Michigan Red Cross Leadership Award in 2006. She is an active member of the Kappa Gamma Phi Graduate Honor Society and the Dearborn Lions Club.