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Salem Health Board adopts new logo and values

SALEM — The Salem Health District has adopted a new logo as well as changes to their vision, mission and value statements.

The new design was carefully considered to represent the health district in each element of its design. The word peace serves a double meaning, being both an acronym for the district’s value statement and reflecting that Salem is the city of peace. The Lady Quaker, the symbol of the national health department, is also visible in the design.

The district’s vision, mission and value statements have also been updated by the district’s accreditation coordinator in accordance with recommendations of the Public Health Accreditation Board, who felt the previous iterations to be more fitting of the City of Salem rather than the health district specifically. The newly approved iterations are intended to convey the ideas of the originals while drawing inspiration from those of other accredited departments.

The new vision statement is “Salem City Health District envisions healthy people in a vibrant diverse and sustainable community.” The new mission statement is “Salem City Health District works to promote and improve health, safety and wellness quality of life in the City of Salem.” The value statement remains largely unchanged; however, the second E has been changed from “excellence” to “evaluation,” reading “We continuously evaluate our policies, procedures and services provided to meet the ever-changing needs of our community.”

Other business included the renewal of the Northeast Central Ohio Mutual Aid Agreement that Salem has participated in for several years. The agreement between the five counties in northeast Ohio allows for a participating health department to contact the others for aid in the event of an emergency that surpasses the resources or capabilities of one department to manage.

Also approved was a change to the district’s partnership with MedPro for the safe removal and disposal of medical needles. The district currently pays $36.40 each month for disposal; however, Health Commissioner Alanna Stainbrook noted this rate was no longer necessary. The district has instead enrolled in a new program in which a secure box is purchased for $125 and once filled sent back to MedPro for disposal, and a replacement ordered. Shipping and disposal are included in the price of the purchase. While each replacement box would need to be purchased separately, Stainbrook noted a single box would likely last nearly a full year and the change in program should save the city approximately $300 each year.

Salem’s Covid cases are down this month, with 86 cases to the previous month’s 87, with 27 Moderna boosters administered this month and two first doses of the vaccine administered. Overall immunizations are up this month from last and expected to increase further as many students will require vaccinations before they can return to school for the year.

Director of Environmental Health Alan Masters updated the status of several vacant building cases, with 1311 S. Lincoln Ave. being designated with red X on its door, a universal fire code symbol that no firefighter is to enter and the building is to be allowed to burn in the event of a fire. There have also been no signs of improvement at the property at 606 Olive St.

Stainbrook also noted that the district does not have any current concerns of a potential Monkeypox outbreak, noting there are currently no cases in Salem or in Columbiana County. Stainbrook also noted that they are staying abreast of the situation and in contact with the Ohio Department of Health to ensure measures are developed and in place in the event of a case. Stainbrook explained there was no reason for people to panic and that the health district will inform residents of any updates, noting that with the skin-to-skin contact transmission of the monkeypox, education is the most important tool to protect from it.

“If you have any concerns or questions call your local health department, because if there’s any information or answers they will have it for you, and be happy to educate you,” said Stainbrook.

The next city health district board meeting will be 2 p.m. Sept. 28.

mahart@mojonews.com

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