Portage County has a brand new well being commissioner.
Rebecca Lehman, who was beforehand deputy well being commissioner for the Portage County Well being District, succeeded Joseph Diorio, who retired Oct. 31 after serving for 9 years.
“Because the newly appointed well being commissioner for the Portage County Well being District, my objective is to enhance the well being and well-being of our communities by addressing key social determinants of well being, together with entry to care and meals insecurity,” Lehman mentioned. “I’ll prioritize the prevention of persistent and communicable ailments, whereas integrating information visualization instruments to enhance the accessibility and value of well being information to make knowledgeable choices for the continual enchancment of Portage County.”
Diorio, who grew to become well being commissioner on August 24, 2015, labored 29 years in public well being. Beforehand, he labored for 20 years at Mahoning County Public Well being, the place his roles included group well being director and emergency preparedness coordinator.
In a information launch, the Portage County Well being District listed amongst Diorio's accomplishments attaining Nationwide Public Well being accreditation in 2019, implementing the district's first strategic plan, workforce improvement plan, the standard enchancment plan, the efficiency administration plan and efficiency evaluations, in addition to the bylaws for the well being board and worker wage constructions.
Diorio additionally initiated the switch of the Girls, Infants and Kids program and the Secure Communities Program to the district, led the district by way of the COVID-19 response and restoration, and spearheaded the acquisition of the district headquarters at 999 E. Primary St in Ravenna.
Lehman has labored for the Portage district for 15 years, beginning as an intern and dealing her approach as much as deputy well being commissioner. The county will eradicate the deputy place, as a part of a long-term succession plan.
Lehman has two grasp's levels: one in public well being from Benedictine College and one other in public administration from Kent State College. He additionally has in depth expertise in grant writing. She led the district's well being promotion and training district, coordinated public data and emergency preparedness efforts, and performed a crucial position within the district's accreditation course of, in accordance with the discharge.
“We’re immensely grateful for Joe's management, imaginative and prescient and repair through the years,” mentioned Lucy Ribelin, chairwoman of the Portage County Board of Well being. “As we transition to new management with Becky Lehman, we’re assured that the Portage County Well being District will proceed to thrive and make a optimistic impression on the group.”
Lehman mentioned he would work to assist the district obtain reaccreditation from the Public Well being Accreditation Board and enhance the district's focus, engagement and group outreach to handle social determinants of well being, aligning with the Well being Enchancment Plan. Portage County Neighborhood Well being and its strategic plan.
“Collaboration with our local people companies, well being care suppliers, metropolis directors and group leaders shall be key to our success in our objective of fostering a more healthy and extra equitable setting for all,” he mentioned.
“It’s an honor to steer our unbelievable crew at PCHD. “I sit up for working alongside all of our devoted public well being professionals to proceed to advertise, defend and enhance the well being of our group.”
A few of the methods Lehman mentioned he hopes to handle the “social determinants of well being” embody launching a farmers market on the entrance garden of the well being district property, persevering with to accomplice with the Akron Canton Regional Meals Financial institution for pop-up meals pantries on the primary Thursday of each month, and collaborating with College Hospitals Portage Medical Heart, AxessPointe, and NEOMED Scholar Run Free Clinic to broaden care alternatives.
The well being district will proceed to function the lead company for Portage County's group well being evaluation and enchancment planning course of, with a brand new evaluation to be accomplished in 2025, he mentioned. It plans to include information visualization instruments, akin to story maps, to make information extra accessible and enhance illness predictions and determine well being tendencies.
Reporter Diane Smith could be reached at 330-298-1139 or dsmith@recordpub.com.
This text initially appeared within the File-Courier: Rebecca Lehman to steer Portage County Well being District