The Audrain County Health Department Board of Health has begun its search for a new administrator in the wake of the resignation of former administrator Dr. Sandra Hewlett. Board Chair Dr. Kathleen …
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The Audrain County Health Department Board of Health has begun its search for a new administrator in the wake of the resignation of former administrator Dr. Sandra Hewlett. Board Chair Dr. Kathleen Weaver says that the search began almost immediately after the board accepted Dr. Hewlett’s resignation at an emergency board meeting on Oct. 5.
“We have launched an aggressive advertising campaign across several media outlets along with social media and state health job boards,” Dr. Weaver said. “We hope to have a lot of potential candidates to review in the very near future.”
Dr. Weaver points out that the health department remains viable and stable and vital services provided by the staff are continuing without interruption. Registered nurses Becky Wieberg and Katie Swaim were initially appointed to fill the administrator role in the interim. Both are current staff members of the Audrain County Health Department.
On Thursday the board added Sarah Palmer, the county’s environmental public health specialist, to the interim administrator team. Palmer has been on staff since 2013.
“The staff is still very committed to providing the same services as before,” Weaver explained. “Our residents' health is our primary concern, especially with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, so there should be no question that these services will continue uninterrupted.
“The day-to-day operations of the department are not rudderless at all,” she added.
While the search is ongoing, Weaver notes that the board will not rush to fill the position simply because it is vacant. With two veteran health care providers in place until a candidate is found, she believes the board has time to find the right fit.
Two more deaths related to COVID-19
While there are currently just 17 active coronavirus cases known to exist in Audrain County, ACHD reports indicate that two additional deaths have been associated with COVID-19. That brings the county’s toll up to seven.
There are 393 active cases at the Women’s Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center and 77 at the Tri County Care Center. Since the pandemic began 824 county residents, WERDCC inmates and long term care residents have been diagnosed.
