Zachary Taylor, MD, MS, is the health director for North Health District, District 2, based in Gainesville. The North Health District is the public health authority for thirteen counties in the north Georgia area. The thirteen counties served by NHD are Banks, Dawson, Forsyth, Franklin,. Habersham, Hall, Hart, Lumpkin, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union,  and White counties. 

Originally from LaGrange, Dr. Taylor graduated from LaGrange College with a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry. He earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia and his Master of Science degree from the University of Maryland. He completed an internship in internal medicine at the University of Kentucky and a residency in preventive medicine at the University of Maryland. Dr. Taylor served for 30 years as an Officer in the United States Public Health Service, including clinical practice with the Indian Health Service from 1983 to 1987 and public health practice with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other Health and Human Services agencies from 1989 to 2015. Dr. Taylor recently retired with the rank of Assistant Surgeon General. He and his wife, Joanie, live in Gainesville, Georgia.