Dear Community Members,
I think I saw a maple hinting at some shade of faint orange on my drive into work this morning. The bright yellow of school buses near every corner makes it official: fall is here, and tens of thousands of young Kent County children are back to school. As a parent with kids in classes ranging from kindergarten to college, I feel the challenges that so many of you are going through at this time of year. The chaotic schedules, drama of transportation, childcare, and tending to the dynamic needs of kids going through a mountain of change can be a lot to handle. You might expect that I am going to use this space to remind you to get your child’s wellness check, make sure vaccinations are up to date, ensure they are getting enough sleep, watch for changes in behavior, and check for lice, and you wouldn’t be wrong. However, I really want to remind you to take time to check yourself. Have you seen your doctor or dentist recently? And what about your mental wellness? What grade would you give yourself for your own health? My homework assignment to you is simple: make your own health a priority this school year. Your kids will be thankful that you did!
Speaking of wellness checkups, your Kent County Health Department (KCHD) had its stress test a few weeks ago. Every three years, the Michigan Departments of Health and Human Services, Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, and Agriculture & Rural Development conduct an accreditation assessment of local health departments. The evaluation includes an assessment of all public health programming, including general powers & duties, immunizations, food service, communicable disease control, hearing & vision, drinking water, wastewater management, HIV/AIDS & sexually transmitted infections, children’s special health care services, and the Women, Infants, and Children program. This review is very rigorous and has motivated a great deal of quality improvement over the past several decades. I am happy to report that the evaluators have fully re-accredited the KCHD and provided excellent feedback about the quality of our services and staff. As with any good checkup, it’s nice to hear good things about your health, but we also realize that we need to keep improving to give you the best public health department possible.
Thanks for all you do to make Kent County a healthy place for all!
Adam London, PhD, RS, DAAS
Administrative Health Officer
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A Fond Farewell to Dr. Bora
Our Medical Director, Dr. Nirali Bora, has decided to move on to new adventures after six years in the role of our chief medical executive. Dr. Bora has been a exceptional public servant in the midst of some of the most trying times in public health history. As a family physician by training, she came to us with a heart for making our services more accessible to all. There are countless examples of how this focus drove her work to care for everyone who calls Kent County home. Seeing the concerning data about the rise in sexually transmitted infections, she formed a coalition of partners that continues to explore the problem, identify opportunities for improvement, and work together to see that people have important information and resources. When Mpox (formally known as Monkey Pox) arrived in West Michigan a couple years ago, local health agencies were challenged with a severe lack of vaccine supply, she worked closely with populations at the greatest risk to make sure they were protected. As many people know, Kent County is a resettlement destination for many refugees from war torn nations – Dr. Bora has worked with these families and other community organizations to help ensure that they have dignified medical care... Continue reading here.
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September is National Food Safety Month
Food safety is crucial for maintaining public health, and we play a vital role in safeguarding the community from foodborne illnesses. Our Food Safety Program works diligently to inspect food establishments, educate food handlers, and enforce food safety regulations to ensure that the food we consume is safe and properly handled.
To protect yourself and your family, it’s important to follow basic food safety practices at home. Always wash your hands thoroughly before handling food, and make sure to clean surfaces and utensils regularly. Cook food to the appropriate temperatures to kill harmful bacteria, and store leftovers in the refrigerator within two hours to prevent spoilage. Additionally, separate raw meats from other foods to avoid cross-contamination.
Our ongoing inspections and food safety education efforts are designed to minimize the risk of foodborne illnesses and promote safe food practices across Kent County. You can view inspection reports and learn more about food safety by visiting the KCHD Food Safety Program website.
By staying informed and following these guidelines, we can all contribute to a healthier community.
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Celebrating Success: Outstanding Employees Honored at Annual Picnic
At this year’s staff picnic, we proudly recognized four incredible team members whose exceptional dedication and hard work make a difference in our community. Their commitment to service and passion for promoting health inspire us all. We are truly thankful for the contributions of every team member who helps keep our community thriving!
Want to know more about our award winners and their inspiring stories? Click here to read more about each employee and the award they received.
Pictured from left to right, Tekia Ricumstrict, Maris Brummel, Renee Dunwell, Greg VanderKooi, and Sue Sefton.
Suicide Prevention Awareness Week
Suicide is a serious public health concern. Suicide deaths in Kent County have been increasing since 2020 and the 99 confirmed suicide deaths that occurred in 2023 marked the highest number that the county has experienced in the past 10 years. While three out of every four suicides in Kent County last year occurred in males, females who completed suicide were much younger, with one of every four female suicides occurring in those less than 20 years of age. Suicide rates among the Black and Latinx populations in Kent County have doubled since 2020 and in 2023, Black female suicide deaths outnumbered those of Black males.
Stressful life events like loss of a loved one, legal trouble, or financial difficulties and interpersonal stressors can contribute to suicide risk, especially if combined with other suicide risk factors, such as underlying mental health conditions. We take community mental health seriously and help to convene several initiatives to address the mental health needs of residents.
The Kent County Health Equity Council has created a Mental Health Action team to establish collaboration between the KCHD, community members, and health system partners to work on solutions for emerging mental health priorities in the community. Healthy Kent has also created a Suicide Prevention Coalition which has the goal of reducing suicide attempts and deaths by suicide in the county through community work on suicide prevention and support for those struggling. These initiatives have teamed up to provide Mental Health Crisis Resources that offer a pathway for people to find the appropriate help based on the type of health insurance they have.
MDARD Urges Consumers Not to Eat Hickory Knoll Cheese Products
Affected Products:
- Goat Milk Cheeses (Chévre, Feta, Cheddar, and more)
- Cow Milk Cheeses (Mozzarella, Gouda, Parmesan, and others)
If you have any of these products, dispose of them immediately!
Although no illnesses have been reported, consuming these cheeses can be dangerous, especially for the elderly, young children, and those with weakened immune systems.
If you've eaten these products and are experiencing symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or trouble breathing, seek medical advice.
For more info or questions, contact MDARD at 800-292-3939 (Mon-Fri, 8 AM-5 PM). To read their full press release, visit here.
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Septic Smart Week
This week, September 16 -20, the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s (EGLE) Onsite Wastewater Program is hosting SepticSmart Week This program is organized to remind residents about the importance of septic system care and maintenance. On the 16th, they hosted a webinar, offered access to educational materials, and taught about:
- the basics of septic systems,
- septic system operation and maintenance tips, and
- a quick overview of Michigan’s Septic Replacement Loan Program.
Michigan’s residents rely on over 1.3 million septic systems to treat the wastewater generated in their homes. Proper septic system use and routine care are vital to protecting public health and preserving our highly valued groundwater, lakes, streams, and waterways. Learning about septic systems can help you avoid costly repairs.
The EPA also has a variety of 1-minute video clips about septic. The YouTube clips can be found here.
The SepticSmart program is a nation-wide initiative to share information on the proper care and maintenance of septic systems and encourage public stewardship in caring for these systems. For more information, visit epa.gov/septic.
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Take Charge This Sexual Health Awareness Month: Free Tools for a Healthier Life
September is Sexual Health Awareness Month, and we are raising awareness about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) while offering valuable resources for prevention, testing, and treatment.
STIs like Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Syphilis are common in Michigan, but with education, regular testing, and access to care, they can be prevented and treated. We provide the following FREE or low-cost, confidential services to help you manage your sexual health:
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Free STI Testing and Treatment: If you’re sexually active, it’s recommended to get tested at least once a year or more based on your risk. We offer free, confidential STI and HIV testing, with treatment available if needed. Call (616) 632-7171 to schedule an appointment.
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Free Sexual Health Education and Prevention Methods: We also provide free, individualized prevention counseling during all STI testing visits.
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PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis): Reduce your risk of acquiring HIV with PrEP. We offer Truvada, Descovy, and the injectable Apretude, depending on your insurance. This daily regimen effectively lowers the risk of HIV transmission.
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Vaccinations: Protect yourself from STIs like Human Papillomavirus (HPV) with free or low-cost vaccines. Call (616) 632-7200 to schedule your immunizations today.
For more information, visit our website or call for details about these essential services.
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Quality Service Award Recipient: Tyler Schwerin
Our own Tyler Schwerin, a Public Health Nurse in Personal Health Services, was honored at a recent Board of Commissioners meeting with a Quality Service Award.
County Administrator Al Vandenberg read the two nominations that were in support of Tyler speaking to his excellent customer service and taking time with our clients when they need it most. Congratulations, Tyler!
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Preventing The Spread of Infections in Schools
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released consolidated, evidence-based guidance for preventing the spread of infections in K-12 schools. The guidance includes everyday actions that schools can take to prevent and control the spread of respiratory and stomach viruses and illnesses, such as influenza and norovirus, and bacterial illness, such as strep throat. This guidance is designed to maximize school attendance and its benefits for all students, while also preventing the spread of infectious diseases. Being in school provides many benefits including ongoing learning and social and emotional development.
The strategies found in the new guidance are based on research and expertise CDC gained from decades of working to prevent disease transmission in school settings. They include:
- Teach and reinforce proper hand washing and respiratory etiquette.
- Take steps for cleaner air by improving ventilation in schools. Schools should consider ventilation enhancements and design when undergoing remodeling or when undertaking new building construction to optimize clean air.
- Clean, sanitize, and disinfect when appropriate.
- Promote vaccinations for students and staff.
When children or staff do become ill, there are additional strategies schools can implement to help slow the spread of infectious diseases including:
- Have staff and students stay home when they are sick. The guidance makes clear what specific symptoms necessitate staying home.
- When applicable, use personal protective equipment (PPE) for school staff who are caring for sick children.
- Hand washing, respiratory etiquette, cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting remain important.
When there is a higher level of illness in the school community, schools can add other strategies to their regular activities in addition to increasing everyday actions like hand washing and ventilation. Which strategies and how many are added, can be based on considerations such as local factors (for example, elevated absenteeism in your area, community preferences) and the virus or other pathogen that is circulating.
The new guidance also recommends updating or developing emergency operation plans that include infectious disease sections, and establishing and maintaining key partnerships with health departments, local medical systems, and other community health providers.
Key resources:
Stay In The Loop
Kent County offers a variety of e-newsletters highlighting our various departments, including the Administrator's Office, Animal Shelter, Veterans Services, Elections, Community Action, and more. Enroll in our newsletters today to receive timely updates on the latest happenings in Kent County. Just visit our website and click on the topics you want to learn more about.
 There are a wide variety of jobs open right now working for Kent County. At the Health Department, we are currently hiring for a Medical Director and Public Health Epidemiologist.
As a Kent County employee, you will receive a competitive salary and a benefits program that is hard to beat. All of this while providing valuable services to your community.
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