Dr Bell, who will continue to live in Arrowtown, said his public health career had been ''fascinating'' and a privilege.
After starting his career as a GP, a stint on the Wakatipu Health Committee opened his eyes to the ''unique challenges'' of public health.
Since he took on the role in 1998, those challenges had included leading the Southern District Health Board's response to Sars, bird flu, whooping cough and meningococcal outbreaks, as well as major flooding in Queenstown and Wanaka in 1999.
At his farewell function earlier this month, Dr Bell said his public health colleagues were always willing to ''swap disciplines and all pitch in when the need arises''.
Public Health South medical officer of health Marion Poore said Dr Bell's tenure had coincided with ''massive'' population growth in the Wakatipu Basin, and he had often been required to respond to high-profile public health issues.
His interest in environmental issues meant he took a ''big picture'' perspective to his work.
Dr Bell's earlier roles included strategic adviser for the Southern DHB and national director of training for the College of Public Health Medicine.
