Yarmouth Health Director Bruce Murphy says human services important in 43 years on job

When the first phases of COVID-19 vaccination started in early 2021 in Massachusetts, Yarmouth Health Director Bruce Murphy recognized a dire need for a high number of vaccines on Cape Cod. Barnstable County was still in the "high-risk zone"; however, there weren't enough vaccination sites available on the Cape. Murphy was a frontline advocate in securing more vaccines for Cape Codders at the time, and his relentless efforts later opened up larger vaccination sites on the Cape in 2021.

The progress of getting the vaccines was slow, yet an effective one. During Murphy's 43 years in the office, this is what made him unique in his approach — he never gave up.

After more than four decades on the job, Murphy, announced his retirement. March 10 is his last day at the office; he'll be on vacation, and his official retirement date is April 30.

Murphy, known for transparency and action on COVID-19 concerns affecting Cape Cod since 2020, has spent 43 years in the office as the health director. Starting in 1980, Murphy had to address three different pandemics — the HIV/AIDS pandemic in 1980, the swine flu pandemic in 2009, and COVID-19 in 2020, which is still ongoing.

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"It's been enjoyable all these years working with the residents and the community. That's what I'm going to miss most," Murphy said. "We have a terrific town and wonderful people, and I wish them the best going forward."

Murphy has done a great job for the town of Yarmouth, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, dealing with public safety issues, vaccinations and various other facilities available for people, according to Michael Stone, chair of the Yarmouth Board of Selectmen.

"There are very few people, in my experience, who have been in the government for so many years, maintaining consistency and continuity of work," Stone said.

The unsung COVID-19 warrior

During the pandemic, when vaccination efforts from the U.S. government started, Murphy championed his way to lobby for more vaccines and testing for Cape Cod residents.

"I was lobbying the Department of Public Health and the governor's office to redistribute the vaccine; given the age of most people on the Cape, they were the ones that needed the vaccination more than most other towns they were providing it to," said Murphy.

According to the recently retired Sandwich Health Director David Mason, Murphy's lasting legacy would be his work during the pandemic, pushing for vaccines over the past couple of years during COVID-19. "He has made an immense contribution to getting the state to recognize the population that we had and getting them the help they need," said Mason.

According to Stone, Murphy's constant and calming presence helped the people deal with the challenges of the pandemic, for which Murphy "gained a lot of stature in the community."

Tobacco control and ban on flavored tobacco was 'one of the biggest accomplishments'

In 1996, the Board of Health prohibited smoking indoors, and it was a significant health concern as smoking was prevalent among residents at the time. Then in 2014, the board banned flavored tobacco since people shifted to flavored tobacco use in public places.

"Yarmouth was the first state in Massachusetts to pass a flavored tobacco regulation in 2014. A lot of the other towns followed Yarmouth's example during the time," said Murphy. "Yarmouth led the public health action at that time and it was a significant achievement."

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Murphy's legacy would always be "having the public's best interest in mind."

"He is well versed in the world of public health, and the efforts that he put in place in Yarmouth have been outstanding. It was a joy to work with him," said Mason.

Prior to becoming the health director, Murphy, who turns 71 in the summer, worked in Connecticut for a couple of years in a county health department. Joining the office in Yarmouth Town Hall at the age of 28, the job has been his whole career, and according to him, he "enjoyed every minute of it."

Working with human services agencies across town

Reflecting on his career, Murphy is grateful to have worked with human services committees and agencies, and the town's Chamber of Commerce. "The health department has been doing so many different things and putting the energy to keep all the needs in the community consistently, working together with the residents is the most important factor," said Murphy.

For Murphy, for example, flu shot clinics are an excellent opportunity to talk to residents about all sorts of problems.

Working with the town Substance Awareness Committee has been another opportunity to get education and support out in the community, he said. A pending settlement on drugs will bring money into the town, and decisions are being made in the town on how to use some of that, he said.

"What's so sad about him leaving is that we're gonna lose someone that worked for the town for so long and has always been a crusader for the health of the people that live here," said Susan Martin, executive director of Yarmouth Food Pantry.

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Yarmouth Health Director Bruce Murphy appreciated for COVID insights