About Us
Board Members
Jamie Gerken, MPH, BSN
Health Commissioner, Defiance County General Health District
Kim Rieman, RN, MPH, CHES
Health Commissioner, Putnam County Health Department
Ben Robison, MPH
Health Commissioner, Wood County Health District
Jim Watkins, RS, MPH
Health Commissioner, Williams County Health District
Staff
Mendon Thomas, MPH
Epidemiologist
Mike Shultz
Emergency Planner
Cathy Henthorn
Records Custodian
PHSCO
Over the years, the PHSCO Health Departments have worked cooperatively on various projects and have entered into memorandums of agreement and formal contracts to share services. With the advent of mandated accreditation for health departments in Ohio, as well as other changes in focus for public health, new models of delivering services were explored.
A Local Government Innovation Grant funded a contract in 2014 with Health Care Perspectives. A report was issued in 2015 with the recommendation to potentially form a Council of Governments to enhance cooperation, yet remain independent entities. A more affordable option was determined through work funded via the state budget. A hybrid model was selected.
PHSCO contracted with the council of government, Mid East Ohio Regional Council (MEORC) for administrative assistance, and PHSCO hired an executive director. This structure was implemented in 2018 and used through early 2021.
Providing solutions for local health departments through collaboration
Our Mission
Maximize Local Health Departments’ Success
Our Vision
Continuous Improvement, Unity, Empowerment, Versatile, Responsive, Fiscal Responsibility, Transparency
Our Values