Jackson County Health Department receives Director's Award

On Oct. 16, the Jackson County Health Department received the 2019 Director’s Award for Local Public Health at the Michigan Premier Public Health Conference. This award was given for innovative and outstanding activities and actions by the JCHD Communicable Disease Division as a result of a tuberculosis outbreak. The department received a plaque, traveling trophy, and $1,000.

Communicable disease nurses Tracy Payne and Cayci Mustafa, along with Director of Personal and Preventative Health Services Angela Aldrich, worked tirelessly to assure the basic mandated service of tuberculosis investigation and control were successfully completed. Payne and Aldrich worked swiftly with Health Officer Rashmi Travis and Dr. Courtland Keteyian, Medical Director, to assess the situation and issue warning notices to prevent the further spread of illness.

In addition, the team worked with health and human service agencies to assess clients’ needs and connect them to housing assistance, employment options, and food assistance. Over 100+ contacts were identified and the team worked with staff from 6 different health departments, legal resources, and the local hospital system.