Board of Health

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Our History

The Geauga Public Health was established in 1919/1920 under the Hughes – Griswold Act, a direct response to the influenza epidemic (pandemic) of 1918/9 in which more than one-half million people died in the United States and more than 20 million worldwide. Read more about the 1918/9 Great Pandemic here. Prior to its adoption, municipalities were responsible for their own health programs, meaning that nearly 2,150 health departments existed in Ohio. Most departments had little medical training or public health knowledge. Since the formation of public health agencies, the life expectancy of Americans has increased dramatically through the prevention of diseases through safe food and water supplies, sanitation, nutrition, vaccines, and antibiotics. These are the services and educational programs that are delivered through your local and county health departments in Ohio.

The Geauga Public Health held its first meeting on January 7, 1920. The Board of Health members included: Mr. J. O. Scott of Thompson, Mr. Peter Small of Chester, Mr. Hugh O. Bostwick of Chardon, Dr. J. A. Heeley of Parkman, and Dr. T. F. Myler, President, of Burton. At the first meeting, a budget of $4,400 was adopted. On January 21, 1920, Dr. T. F. Myler was elected the first Health Commissioner on a part-time basis. Mr. Hugh Bostwick was elected President and Dr. Myler’s position was filled by Mr. Frank Griffin of Middlefield.

The first public health nurse, Ms. Allyn, was hired in December 1920. The first clerk was hired sometime in 1922/3. The Health Commissioner became a full-time position in September 1923. The Health Commissioner at the time was Dr. G. L. Lyne, who had succeeded Dr. Myler in December 1922.

The Board hired Mr. C. S. Helling as the first Geauga County Sanitary Engineer. Mr Helling began work on August 19, 1946.

Geauga County Health Commissioners

  • 1920 – 1922    Dr. T. F. Myler (part-time)
  • 1923 – 1925    Dr. G. L. Lyne (part-time, became full-time)
  • 1925 – 1950    Dr. W. C. Corey (full and part-time, Lake County Health Commissioner as well)
  • 1950 – 1960    Dr. W. P. Edmunds
  • 1960 – 1962    Dr. W. C. Hartland
  • 1962 – 1964    Dr. James L. Kocour
  • 1964 – 1974    Dr. B. M. Keller
  • 1974 – 1978    Mr. Terry E. Hull
  • 1979 – 1980    Mr. Frank Kellog
  • 1980 – 1986    Ms. Jane Manyo-Mahoney, RN, MSN
  • 1987 – 1991    Mr. Herbert Shubick, RS, MS
  • 1991 – 1992    Mr. Fredrick A. Wood, DVM
  • 1993 – 1999    Ms. Susan Negron, RN, MS
  • 1999 – 2018    Mr. Robert K. Weisdack, RS, MA, MPH
  • 2019 – 2021    Mr. Thomas Quade, MA, MPH, CPH, FRSPH
  • 2022 – Present      Dr.  J. Jeffrey Cameron, MD
  • 2022 – Present       Adam Litke, BS **

 

** indicates the Health Administrator

Interim Geauga County Health Commissioners

  • June – September 1925    Mr. W. C. Reese, Superintendent of County Schools
  • November 1963 – June 1964    Mr. Carl Dill, Sanitarian
  • February – September 1974    Ms. Ruth Baptie, Secretary
  • September – December 1980    Ms. Sarah Eiermann, RN, Director of Nursing*
  • November 1981 – February 1982    Ms. Sarah Eiermann, RN, Director of Nursing*
  • September – December 1983    Ms. Sarah Eiermann, RN, Director of Nursing
  • December 1986 – October 1987    Ms. Sarah Eiermann, RN, Director of Nursing
  • August – December 1992    Ms. Sherri Culver, Gortz Managment Firm
  • July – December 2018    Mr. David Sage, BSCE, RS, REHS
  • September 2021 – January 2022 Dr. Jennifer Williams-Reid, MD
  • September 2021 – February 2022 Adam Litke, BS  **

*due to Health Commissioner maternity leave

** indicates the Health Administrator

First

Published Regulation

The first published regulation was adopted on July 11, 1944 outlined permits and inspections of farms that fed garbage to hogs. It included fees to cover the cost of issuing permits and performing the inspections. These regulations were revised into the first sanitary regulations enforced in the county in 1948. The regulation dealt with water wells, privies, sewage disposal, garbage disposal, dead animal and manure disposal.

history of the health district

Significant Dates

  • 1949 Sanitarians began the inspection of food-handling establishments, 27 years before the State of Ohio adopted food service regulations. The main concern was food-handling establishments, such as butchers or slaughterhouses. This quickly expanded to restaurants and anyone that handled raw food. The first code was adopted in 1951 and was based on the American Public Health Association code. A portion of the code included providing public ratings of restaurant performance.
  • Beginning January 1, 1954 the Board of Health levied an annual fee on all Food Service Operations to offset the cost of inspections.
  • 1953 House Trailer Park permits and licensing – 26 years before State of Ohio regulations
  • 1955 Lot assessment and evaluation for sewage permits, Licensing of sewage/septic installers
  • 1960 Geauga County Water Well Regulations
  • 1961 Sanitary Landfill Regulations
  • 1964 Gas & Oil Well Regulations
  • 1965 Regulations for the Sanitation of Camps
  • 2017 The district’s name was changes from the Geauga County Health District to Geauga Public Health

Funding OF THE HEALTH DISTRICT

How it was initially funded

The Health District was initially funded by the County Commissioners through inside millage. Over the early years of the Health District, the County Commissioners passed the cost on to the Township Trustees. Some State and Federal grants helped defray costs, but the scope of the health needs widened rapidly. As a result, the Board of Health sought their first Health Levy in 1956. The five-year one-quarter mill levy passed in the November election by a vote of 9,054 in favor, 5,261 opposed (63%).

Mission of Geauga Public Health

Geauga Public Health department is dedicated to improving public health services by monitoring, educating, and promoting community and environmental health services in Geauga County, Ohio.

Vision

Working together to promote a healthy community.

We Value

The basics of trust, integrity, and honesty

Professionalism

Fiscal Responsibility

Competency

Compassion

Communication

Partnership

Advocacy

All centered on and for the community we serve

What County Archives and Recorders Office

Provided Us

The County Archives and Recorders Office provided us with a copy of the 1942 Inventory of the County Archive of Ohio portions that pertained to the Geauga County Health District. These records were the result of the Ohio Historical Records Survey Project. You can read these sections of the inventory here.