The Clinton Health Matters Initiative is officially underway in Knox County, but in the early stages, the county’s board of health is pondering what exactly the initiative will look like.
Public Health Administrator Michele Gabriel gave members an update last night on the CHMI “blue print convening” that took place Tuesday.
Community leaders met for the first of multiple sessions over the next three to six months until a plan tailored to improve the health of county residents is in place.
Gabriel says that it’s nice the county is getting positive national attention.
“I think there are a lot of questions on how it is going to move forward,” Gabriel says. “I’ve heard a lot of positive input about the meeting, they thought it went well. I also have heard a lot of questions of ‘what do you suppose is going to happen next?'”
Gabriel said the first meeting was invite only but as the process develops more community leaders will be brought to the table.
She added the meeting felt similar to strategic planning processes the health department does but she was encouraged that “new faces” were present.
In other news, Jackie Turner has stepped down from the board of health after 21 years of service.
As Turner departs as president, Dan Harris will replace her, pending county board approval at their June meeting.
Gabriel reports two advance practice nurses have been hired which allow the health clinic to now stay open until 6 p.m.
Meanwhile the search continues for a medical director.
