County health director earns state award
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LISBON - The Columbiana County Health District's Health Commissioner Dr. Wes Vins, along with Medical Director Dr. Gretchen Nickell, who also serves as chief medical officer for East Liverpool City Hospital, recently attended the Association of Ohio Health Commissioners (AOHC) Fall Conference in Dublin, Ohio, to speak on their partnership and how it helped during the response to the February train derailment in East Palestine. This educational conference aims to update Ohio's public health professionals on current and potential future challenges to the practice of public health in the 21st century.
Vins and Nickell were asked to present how they built a successful partnership over the years, which in-turn benefited their response efforts during the East Palestine train derailment. They collaborated throughout the presentation, offering fellow AOHC members their lessons learned on partnership and emergency response following the derailment. The presentation also highlighted considerations local health departments can make when preparing their own communities for emergencies
During the conference, Vins was presented with the Association of Ohio Health Commissioner's Public Health Guardian Award. AOHC describes the award as a recognition of any individual for having initiated a new program that improved public health in Ohio, recognizing outstanding, significant and innovative activities and programs resulting in a positive impact on public health. During the award presentation, Vins was recognized for his continual dedication to the field of public health over the last 25 years, as well as his strong leadership and commitment to always do the right thing, even when it is difficult.