Vicki Ittel, director of the Buncombe County Board of Health, announced on Feb. 12 that she plans to resign effective March 28 after less than a year in the position.

Ittel said she plans to start a community outpatient practice in Asheville focusing on mental health and addiction treatment, with a focus on prescription-painkiller addictions.

The board said it would try to identify an interim health director to replace her sometime this week.

Ittel started the job last July after longtime director George Bond retired. Ittel said her decision to leave was not prompted by any issues at the health center.

Winnie Ziegler, the board’s chairwoman, said that Ittle’s recent six-month review went well and that she had implemented many positive changes during her time at the center.

Ziegler said that after appointing an interim director, the board will begin a nationwide search to replace Ittel, which could take at least six months.

The health director is responsible for administering the county health center with an annual budget of roughly $17.5 million.