475 Western Ave


475 Western Ave., Suite A Chillicothe, OH. 45601 Phone: 740-779-9652 Fax: 740-779-0744 *About Us* *Divisions* *Programs* *Vital Statistics* *Restaurant Inspections* *Pandemic Information* *Contact Us* *Links* *Employment* *Home*	HISTORY The Ross County Health District was formed in 1979, when the Boards of Health of the Chillicothe City Health Department (1908) and the Ross County General Health District (1920) agreed to a merger. Even before the merger, the two health agencies usually shared one health commissioner and most of the time they shared office space and other resources. During the 20^th century the health agencies occupied offices at various sites, including West Main St., West Second St., and later in the old Tuberculosis Hospital on Pohlman Rd., which had declined in use. In 1978 the agencies moved once again, this time locating their offices in the former Chillicothe Hospital on Chestnut St. They would remain there for another 20 years. In 1998, the Ross County Commissioners purchased the former Harts Department Store building at 475 Western Ave., for use as the Ross County Service Center. The combined Health District relocated offices to that facility in early 1999. The Health District is governed by an eight-member Board of Health: four members are appointed by the District Advisory Council; three by the Mayor of Chillicothe; and one is a representative of the Licensing Council (2001 state legislation). The Health District is made up of six divisions: Community Health, Environmental Health, Home Health, Health Education, Administration and Communications), which contain a variety of programs. Currently, the Health District employs about 120 people. Programs are divided into those that are mandated and those that are non-mandated. Mandated programs include public health nursing (TB case management, lead poisoning case management, immunizations, etc.); environmental health programs such as septic, sewage and food service; and the Vital Statistics services of birth and death records. In 2008, non-mandated programs administered by the Health District include: Women, Infants and Children (WIC), Ross County Home Health, the Southern Ohio Women’s Cancer Project, Help Me Grow, Community Preparedness, and more. Financially, the Health District is supported by a 1 mill, voter approved tax levy, and receives additional funding from fees charged and grants administered. BOARD OF HEALTH The Ross County Board of Health is comprised of eight members: four are appointed by the District Advisory Council; three by the Mayor of Chillicothe; and one by the Licensing Council. Members serve alternating five year terms and one board member must be a physician. Vacancies are filled in the same manner as the original appointment. Each year the Board of Health elects from its membership a President and a Vice President. Additionally, members serve on committees such as Finance and Personnel. The Ross County Board of Health meets on the third Wednesday of every month. Meetings are held in the Health District Conference Room and begin at 4:30 p.m. The meetings are open to the public. Any changes to the meeting schedule are posted on this Web site, and are also advertised in the local media. Current Board membership is as follows: President: Mr. Charles Halm (City) term expires Dec. 2009 Vice President: Mr. Gary Prater (Licensing Council appointment) term expires April 2012 Member: Dr. David McKell (City) term expires Dec. 2011 Member: Mr. George Vandemark (DAC) term expires 2012 Member: Mr. Thomas Hamman (DAC) term expires 2012 Member: Mr. Mike Holdren (DAC) term expires July 2009 Member: Mrs. Ceil Corcoran (City) term expires Jan. 2009 Member: Mrs. Diane Gray (DAC) term expires March 2011 HEALTH COMMISSIONER Dr. Timothy Angel has served as Ross County’s Health Commissioner since November 2004. Dr. Angel holds a PhD in Biomedicine from Marshall University and has taught at the university level, at both Shawnee State and Ohio University. The position of Health Commissioner is mandated by the Ohio Revised Code. The Health Commissioner must be a physician, nurse, veterinarian, or hold an advanced degree in an applicable field. Dr. Angel can be reached by calling 740-779-9652. DIRECTORS Community Health – Kathy Wakefield is a Certified Nurse Practitioner and has been employed by the Health District for 11 years. She is a graduate of Hocking College and Indiana University. She can be reached by calling 740-775-1146. Environmental Health – Lana Cherrington is a Registered Sanitarian and has been employed by the Health District for four years. She is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and can be reached by calling 740-775-1158. Home Health – Wanda Whetsel holds an A.D.N. and has been employed by the Health District for 12 years. She is a graduate of Rio Grande University and can be reached by calling 740-775-1114. Health Education – Cordy Boedeker holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Heidelberg University and has been employed by the Health District for eight years. She can be reached by calling 740-775-3598. Administration – Don Holcomb is Chief Financial Officer and a graduate of Rio Grande University. He has been employed by the Health District for four years and can be reached at 740-779-9660. Communications – Rami Yoakum is the Public Information Officer and Emergency Response Coordinator, and has been employed by the Health District for five years. He is a graduate of Ohio University and can be reached by calling 740-779-1039.

475 Western Ave., Suite A

Chillicothe, OH. 45601

Phone: 740-779-9652

Fax: 740-779-0744

About Us

Divisions

Programs

Vital Statistics

Restaurant Inspections

Pandemic Information

HISTORY

The Ross County Health District was formed in 1979, when the Boards of Health of the Chillicothe City Health Department (1908) and the Ross County General Health District (1920) agreed to a merger. Even before the merger, the two health agencies usually shared one health commissioner and most of the time they shared office space and other resources.

During the 20^th century the health agencies occupied offices at various sites, including West Main St., West Second St., and later in the old Tuberculosis Hospital on Pohlman Rd., which had declined in use. In 1978 the agencies moved once again, this time locating their offices in the former Chillicothe Hospital on Chestnut St. They would remain there for another 20 years.

In 1998, the Ross County Commissioners purchased the former Harts Department Store building at 475 Western Ave., for use as the Ross County Service Center. The combined Health District relocated offices to that facility in early 1999.

The Health District is governed by an eight-member Board of Health: four members are appointed by the District Advisory Council; three by the Mayor of Chillicothe; and one is a representative of the Licensing Council (2001 state legislation).

The Health District is made up of six divisions: Community Health, Environmental Health, Home Health, Health Education, Administration and Communications), which contain a variety of programs. Currently, the Health District employs about 120 people.

Programs are divided into those that are mandated and those that are non-mandated. Mandated programs include public health nursing (TB case management, lead poisoning case management, immunizations, etc.); environmental health programs such as septic, sewage and food service; and the Vital Statistics services of birth and death records.

In 2008, non-mandated programs administered by the Health District include: Women, Infants and Children (WIC), Ross County Home Health, the Southern Ohio Women’s Cancer Project, Help Me Grow, Community Preparedness, and more.

Financially, the Health District is supported by a 1 mill, voter approved tax levy, and receives additional funding from fees charged and grants administered.

BOARD OF HEALTH

The Ross County Board of Health is comprised of eight members: four are appointed by the District Advisory Council; three by the Mayor of Chillicothe; and one by the Licensing Council. Members serve alternating five year terms and one board member must be a physician. Vacancies are filled in the same manner as the original appointment.

Each year the Board of Health elects from its membership a President and a Vice President. Additionally, members serve on committees such as Finance and Personnel.

The Ross County Board of Health meets on the third Wednesday of every month. Meetings are held in the Health District Conference Room and begin at 4:30 p.m. The meetings are open to the public. Any changes to the meeting schedule are posted on this Web site, and are also advertised in the local media.

Current Board membership is as follows:

President: Mr. Charles Halm (City) term expires Dec. 2009

Vice President: Mr. Gary Prater (Licensing Council appointment) term expires April 2012

Member: Dr. David McKell (City) term expires Dec. 2011

Member: Mr. George Vandemark (DAC) term expires 2012

Member: Mr. Thomas Hamman (DAC) term expires 2012

Member: Mr. Mike Holdren (DAC) term expires July 2009

Member: Mrs. Ceil Corcoran (City) term expires Jan. 2009

Member: Mrs. Diane Gray (DAC) term expires March 2011

HEALTH COMMISSIONER

Dr. Timothy Angel has served as Ross County’s Health Commissioner since November 2004. Dr. Angel holds a PhD in Biomedicine from Marshall University and has taught at the university level, at both Shawnee State and Ohio University.

The position of Health Commissioner is mandated by the Ohio Revised Code. The Health Commissioner must be a physician, nurse, veterinarian, or hold an advanced degree in an applicable field.

Dr. Angel can be reached by calling 740-779-9652.

DIRECTORS

Community Health – Kathy Wakefield is a Certified Nurse Practitioner and has been employed by the Health District for 11 years. She is a graduate of Hocking College and Indiana University. She can be reached by calling 740-775-1146.

Environmental Health – Lana Cherrington is a Registered Sanitarian and has been employed by the Health District for four years. She is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and can be reached by calling 740-775-1158.

Home Health – Wanda Whetsel holds an A.D.N. and has been employed by the Health District for 12 years. She is a graduate of Rio Grande University and can be reached by calling 740-775-1114.

Health Education – Cordy Boedeker holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Heidelberg University and has been employed by the Health District for eight years. She can be reached by calling 740-775-3598.

Administration – Don Holcomb is Chief Financial Officer and a graduate of Rio Grande University. He has been employed by the Health District for four years and can be reached at 740-779-9660.

Communications – Rami Yoakum is the Public Information Officer and Emergency Response Coordinator, and has been employed by the Health District for five years. He is a graduate of Ohio University and can be reached by calling 740-779-1039.