County Health Advisory Council Meets

Jason Tiller, Coordinator provided an overview of the mission, vision and structure of the Health Department and the programs offered to the newly formed Health Advisory Council that met Friday.

As Tiller spoke about the department’s role, veterinarian Glenn Engelland said he wouldn’t let Tiller forget about rural areas. Amanda Michaelis asked if the department takes a “holistic approach”; Tiller replied they “look at best practices and what the evidence suggests”. Tom Bell asked about the department’s role with Central Kansas Mental Health, especially in a time of tight budgets. Ron Kramer summed up the discussions with “we all want a healthy county”.

In addition, doctors David Dupy and Jacob Hodges attended. A seventh council member, Gwenda Philbrook, could not attend.

Commission Chair Monte Shadwick said the Commissioners will draw lots on October 13th, to determine which individuals will serve one, two and three year terms, as outlined in the council’s by-laws. Shadwick said the Commission put a lot of time in on deciding who they wanted to serve on this council.

At the next meeting, the group will elect a vice chair. Tiller also asked them to each identify one or two areas where each council member feels there needs to be more emphasis and to include ideas of what might be done. Members received a handbook containing by-laws and both the 2015 and 2012 Saline County Community Health Assessment.

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Story by: Karen Shade for KSAL News