New director of nursing hired
Logan County District Board of Health members were given a detailed update about the county’s Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) at their Wednesday afternoon meeting, Jan. 10, where they also learned about the hire of a new department head.
Logan County Health Commissioner Travis Irvan reported that the health district has hired Debra Gilmore as the new director of nursing. She will begin her position Tuesday, Jan. 16, and will be introduced at the next board meeting, 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14.
Gilmore’s background includes working as a travel nurse.
The LCHD has been without a full-time director of nursing since mid-May, following the resignation of Kelly Reaver. Irvan said previously said it was a difficult time to be looking for a director of nursing, as other health care agencies are also looking to hire someone in this position.
Relating to the CHIP, Director of Community Outreach Megan Bailey explained that this process began early last year with the 2023 Community Surveys that were administered by Center for Marketing & Opinion Research.
The final sample size was approximately 400 adults in Logan County, who were surveyed via random sample by telephone and a web survey.
Secondary data analysis also was conducted by CMOR to compile the Community Health Assessment, along with the collecting qualitative data from 68 community partners with knowledge and experience in community health-related issues.
In addition to the LCHD, this research was also supported by collaborating partner Mary Rutan Health, along with Logan County Job & Family Services, Community Health & Wellness Partners, Mental Health Drug and Alcohol Services Board of Logan and Champaign Counties and the United Way of Logan County.
The Community Health Assessment was reviewed in June during the Community Call-to-Action by individuals representing a variety of sectors, from including healthcare, mental health, law enforcement, elected officials, education, social services, faith-based and others, as previously detailed in the Examiner.
From that gathering, coalitions have formed to address community needs found in the surveys, which are now part of the CHIP.
Those priority areas to improve the health of the community are: Housing and Homelessness; Mental Health and Suicide; Senior Services; Substance Abuse; and Social Determinants and Emerging Needs, with coalition members meeting regularly to work toward objectives.
Objectives to address the homelessness/housing issues include: increase affordable housing option; increase homelessness prevention efforts; and to create a single access point for home insecure residents.
To improve mental health across the lifespan of Logan County residents, some of the objectives that coalition is working toward include: reducing youth suicide; reducing adult suicide; increasing awareness of available services; and utilizing CAB to address systemic issues.
Relating to reducing health problems and improving the quality of life for older county residents, the coalition’s objectives include: increasing awareness of current programs and services, educating first responders and front line workers; and seeking additional funding, possibly through a senior services levy.
Objectives relating to addressing substance abuse include reducing the number of high school students using alcohol and THC, reducing deaths due to unintentional drug overdoses and implementing a fully functioning syringe exchange program locally.
Finally for the social determinants and emerging needs, objectives focus on reducing the percentage of adults diagnosed with chronic diseases, monitoring emerging health needs and identifying gaps in transportation services.
Bailey also is finishing uploading documents for the LCHD’s five-year strategic plan, which has the priorities of: agency sustainability; effective communication; and targeted, upstream programs and services.
The Community Health Assessment and Community Health Improvement Plan are available to view online at the LCHD’s website, loganhealthohio.gov, by selecting the “Administration” tab and then “Reports.”
Irvan also noted that board member Tobi Collins will be concluding her 10 years of service to the board in March. The Logan County Health District Advisory Council conducts their annual meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 21, at the Ohio Hi-Point Career Center, and will be tasked with naming her replacement. Interested applicants should email Irvan at tirvan.
Logan County Health District Director of Community Outreach Megan Bailey, third from the left, reviews the county’s Community Health Improvement Plan at the Wednesday afternoon board of health meeting. (EXAMINER PHOTO | Mandy Loehr)