Health positions shuffled

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With a laundry list challenges facing the
health center in 2014 following its receipt of a federal grant, the Wood County Board of Health voted to
otherwise clear the plate of the center’s CEO.Ben Batey, CEO of the Wood County Community Health and
Wellness Center, is also director of nursing for the health district. The health center received a Health
Resources and Services Administration grant last month that will award $787,500 next year, $650,000 in 2015
and has the potential to be a permanent source of funding.But with the award comes some strings. As the
health center is expected to increase both its services and client load, additional clinic space is needed,
requiring a reorganization within the health district building, and eventually an expansion.Batey said
during the meeting he will meet with representatives of Poggemeyer Design Group on Monday to begin planning
the expansion.With Batey attending to such tasks, the board voted to release him from nursing director
duties from Dec. 1 through March 31 and appointed Amy Jones to the interim position. Jones, who has
previously served in the position, will earn $64,116.The change was met with other personnel moves, with the
board also appointing a new medical director and the transfer of several employees to vacant
positions.Michael Lemon will be medical director in 2014, with current medical director Steve Dood shifting
to assistant medical director. Jackie Mears transferred from Help Me Grow coordinator to public health nurse
II, the opening the result of Renee Bayes transitioning to a part-time position. Also, secretary Deb
Hostottle will become grants and accounting manager.Two training requests were also approved Thursday.
Employees and managers will go through legal training on harassment, social media, bullying and other issues
on Jan. 30, to be provided by the Fishel and Haas law firm of Columbus for $1,250. A former health district
supervisor, Bill Ault, who was director of administration, was fired in September after his subordinates
filed complaints of harassment and a hostile work environment.As part of the health center improvements,
Batey and three other employees will train in Bethesda, Md. from Jan. 22 through Jan. 24. The health
district will pay for lodging and travel, with grant funds providing reimbursement.The board also approved:•
A contract with E3Rx Inc. for pharmacy consulting services at $100 per hour within the health district and
$125 per hour at other locations. Batey said the consultant is used for several hours about once per week.•
Arrangements to exchange services with the Ottawa County General Health Department to help determine Wood
County’s cost methodology for environmental health services as required by the Ohio Department of Health.
The contract is for $35 per hour not to exceed $2,800, and possible mileage reimbursement. Wood County will
provide epidemiology services for Ottawa County through June 30, not to exceed $5,000.• A contract with
S&S Cleaning for $1,860 per month for cleaning services. Health Commissioner Pam Butler said the
deal includes a 1.1-percent raise, as the contractor has been providing services for at least seven years
without an increase.• A $565 door kit to install a window in the door leading into the environmental health
division. Butler said a suggestion was made that the door could injure a customer, and the kit was less
expensive than purchasing a new door.

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