Photo provided by Laura Fauss Staff members of the Columbiana County Health District recently earned national accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board. Staffers include, seated from left, Steve Wiesen, Krista Colvin, Kayla Hamilton, Kim Powell, Carrie Huff, and Debbe Chuck; standing, Laura Fauss, Jamie Elenz, Leon Estes, Dawn Green, Kayla Rose, Karen Clark, Kevin Summerville, Lori Barnes, Sandra Wiesen and Health Commissioner Wes Vins. Not pictured were Kayla Fill and Heather Toot.

LISBON — Being nationally accredited confirms what Columbiana County Health Commissioner Wes Vins said he and the staff already know — they’re providing good service to the citizens.

“We’re being validated by a third party,” he said.

The Columbiana County Heath District recently earned national accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board after submitting mounds of paperwork, explaining their operations and demonstrating their abilities through a site visit, then answering more questions and sending even more paperwork.

The process began several years ago, was delayed by the pandemic, and continued despite COVID-19 remaining a part of everyday life, making the news about the accreditation even more meaningful. Vins said the county health district did it during one of the most difficult times pubic health has faced in the past 100 years.

“We’re very proud. This is an accomplishment,” he said.

What it means for the people who rely on the health district is the fact that district personnel are “providing quality services and a climate of quality improvement,” Vins said.

During the county health district board meeting Wednesday, he informed the board of the good news about the PHAB accreditation, crediting the hard work of all members of the staff in all divisions and thanking the board members for all their support.

“This is something we’ve been looking forward to for quite a few years,” he said.

The site visit occurred pre-pandemic in December 2019, then COVID-19 hit and the department received an extension for completing an action plan to address questions that came up. Vins and staff received word in May that the health district received its accreditation.

He especially wanted to recognize Kim Powell, the department’s accreditation coordinator, for stepping up after the previous coordinator left in 2020. He said she brought all the last pieces into place.

According to a press release prepared by county health district Public Information Officer Laura Fauss, the health district is one of just 305 accredited local health departments, representing just 10 percent of local health departments nationwide.

“Our health district’s status as accredited is a testament to the ongoing excellence of this organization. Effective public health has always been our priority, so we are very pleased that this philosophy was recognized by PHAB,” Vins said in the press release. “We hope this announcement, coming as it does after our rapidly unfolding successful public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic, is confirmation to our community, local businesses and our partner organizations that our staff is committed to quality improvement and responsive to the needs of our community.”

PHAB President and CEO Paul Kuehnert said in the release that “the value of becoming nationally accredited through PHAB extends far beyond the interior walls of the health department. People living and working in communities served by these health departments can be assured that their health department is strong and has the capacity to protect and promote their health. Just going through the accreditation process itself helps health departments pinpoint the areas that are critical to improving the work they do for their communities.

Board member Dave Rose asked about the cost and Vins admitted it’s an investment. The accreditation is good for five years, but in years two, three and four, they’ll be ramping up to prepare for re-accreditation in year five, tweaking their plans and submitting more information. Rose asked if that means they can get more funding than normal since they’re now accredited.

The answer was yes. Vins said the district normally receives a state subsidy from the state of Ohio each year totaling $16,000, but with accreditation, the state subsidy will double to $32,000 per year.

In other business, the board issued board orders against James Fitzsimmons, Ridge Road, East Rochester, ordering the installation of a replacement household sewage system in answer to a septic nuisance violation.

A variance was granted to Sam Bailey, Buck Road, Salem, for installation of a septic system less than 50 feet from the well on his property and from a creek. The distance required is normally 50 feet, but the system will be 30 feet from the well and 35 feet from the creek.

The board also approved septic system installation contracts with Colian Multi Service of Salem for $13,600 from the H2OHIO grant and four separate contracts with Advanced Excavating of East Liverpool from the 2022/2023 Water Pollution Control Loan Fund grant for amounts of $45,986, $43,862, $34,360 and $28,408.

Vins explained to board members that renewing the contract with PCG for contact tracing wasn’t in the district’s best interest, so no action was taken on it. Instead he said grant funds and current staff can handle the contact tracing.

During staff reports, Medical Services Administrator Jamie Elenz said a skin cancer screening is scheduled for July 7, with residents asked to call 330-424-0272 for an appointment, A recent prostate cancer screening attracted 50 men. She also said it’s not too early for before school shots.

Fauss, who’s also the Environmental Health Program Manager, said some roadside springs have been tested in the county and all came back positive for bacteria. She wanted to warn the public about those sources of water. Environmental Director Lori Barnes gave some tips about beaches and pools this time of year, asking people to keep an eye out for children and to also make sure they keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot during their outdoor picnics and gatherings.

The next meeting will be 4:30 p.m. July 20.

mgreier@salemnews.net