L.E.H.P. Introduction Gov. Pat Quinn issued a proclamation - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

L.E.H.P. Introduction Gov. Pat Quinn issued a proclamation proclaiming October, 2014 as Environmental Health Practitioners Month in the state of Illinois. The St. Clair County Health Department has five L.E.H.P.’s employed in Environmental Health Services . They are: Barb Hohlt, Jenny Meyer Sharon Valentine, Brian Eckert, and Jacob Phillips.

Barb is the Director of Health Protection at the St. Clair County Health Dept. where she has been since its inception – over 28 years. Prior to that, she worked for the Bond County Health Department, Greenville, IL. “I wanted a professional career that helped protect the environment,” Barb said. And that is exactly what she got. Barb obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from SIU Carbondale in Animal Industries. She maintains her License as an Environmental Health Practitioner (LEHP), as well as a National Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS). Barb oversees the following programs: Emergency Preparedness, Food, Private Sewage and Water, Vector, Nuisance, Smoke-free Enforcement, Tanning, Tattoo and Body Art, Landfills, Open Dumping, Recycling, Pollution Prevention, TB, STDs and other Infectious Diseases, and assists with the overall administration of the agency. For Barb, working to protect the environment was a natural because growing up on a dairy farm she inherited the love for the outdoors and nature. She is a leader in public health services in not only St. Clair County, but also serves on numerous committees and organizations in Illinois and Missouri, including the Bio- Watch Advisory Committee and Southern Regional Illinois Groundwater Protection Committee and others. Barb has a strong history of commitment to her community. She volunteers for the Dr. Willard Scrivner Public Health Foundation, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and Hospice of Southern Illinois. She is a Board Member for SAVE (St. Clair Associated Vocational Enterprises, Inc.) and the Metro East Parks and Recreation District (MEPRD). She was also honored as the Metro-East Racial Harmony Board’s “Phenomenal Woman” award in 2011. In 2013, Barb was awarded the Illinois Public Health Association “Distinguished Service Award”. “In her day”, Ms. Hohlt played softball for many years and is proud to own a Bronze Medal from the US Olympic Festival. She is an avid golfer and in 2013 hit her first hole in one. She also enjoys detailing cars and working in her yard and garden.

As the Director of Environmental Programs, Jenny is responsible for several environmental health programs including; food sanitation, water and sewage, vector control, landfills, open dumping and recycling. Jenny provides supervision, guidance and training to 11 employees who work in various environmental programs. She assumes responsibilities for overall planning, development, maintenance and evaluation of environmental programs in areas serviced by the Health Department. Her job also includes promoting environmental health and pollution prevention. She provides educational activities with voluntary and official agencies and works with communities to assure public safety and environmental health. As a L.E.H.P., Jenny is prepared to answer most of the questions thrown at her regarding environmental issues. And if she doesn’t know the answer, she finds out who does. “It’s a changing job,” Jenny said. “Every day we get calls about things we don’t always deal with. We have to be ready to respond.” In her role as Director of Environmental Programs, Jenny has to be familiar with several laws and codes pertaining to environmental issues. For example, radon, food safety codes, private sewage disposal laws, and a plethora of codes and laws designed to protect the environment and keep assure public safety. She said her L.E.H.P. helped prepare her for this role. Jenny started working with the Health Department several years ago as a sanitarian and left to go to work for the City of Belleville. She returned to the Health Department about a year and a half ago. She is a resident of Belleville and enjoys reading, running and writing with a ruler.

Sharon Valentine’s job can be quite interesting. As Environmental Health Manager, Sharon’s responsibilities include everything from the oversight of food establishment inspections, to providing education for groups about foodborne illnesses and safe cooking practices. You could find her training a farmer’s market group or a about safe food practices are reviewing private well water to assure it is safe to drink. Either way, Sharon knows her stuff. Want to know how to safely cook a Thanksgiving turkey? Just ask Sharon. “The most important part of food safety for Thanksgiving is to make sure you thaw correctly, cook completely and don’t leave food out for longer than two hours at a time,” she said. Or… Did you know you can have 1,000 gallons of tap water for the price of one can of soda pop? Sharon also serves on the Illinois Farmers Market Task Force. The task force was created to establish uniformity in the way that Farmers Markets are regulated throughout the state. The task force also works toward sampling regulations and the Cottage food regulation interpretation. Sharon has had her L.E.H.P. for several years. She said there are advantages to having it. “It gives me the authority to review the work of other sanitarians,” Sharon said. “It also provides knowledge of other environmental programs.” Sharon is married with three children and five (soon to be six) grandchildren.

It’s a job Brian enjoys. One day, you might find Brian issuing permits or inspecting private sewage systems. Another day, he could be found investigating complaints or conducting consultations, or reviewing subdivision plan applications. “It’s something different every day,” Brian said. Approximately 10,000 homes and businesses in St. Clair County are on private septic systems. In 2014, Brian conducted more than 2,400 sewage inspections and consultations. The Private Sewage Disposal Program focuses on the health and safety of residents through compliance with the St. Clair County Private Sewage Disposal Code and the Illinois Department of Public Health Private Sewage Disposal Licensing Act & Code. The program is designed to protect public health by eliminating the transmission of disease organisms and nuisances resulting from improperly or inadequately treated sewage and to reduce a potential adverse impact upon the environment. Brian received his L.E.H.P. in 2013. “Having an L.E.H.P. makes me well rounded in all aspects of Public Health,” Brian said. Brian likes to hunt, and fishing. Brian, who lives in Swansea, is married and has two children, aged 9 and 5 months.

Most days you’ll find Jacob Phillips hanging out at restaurants. As an Environmental Health Sanitarian I, Jacob is responsible for food inspections of the eating establishments throughout St. Clair County. Last year, Jacob and his coworkers inspected more than 3,000 food service facilities, with an additional 2,036 consultations. All reports of possible foodborne illness are investigated with assistance from the Infectious Disease staff. But Jacob’s job doesn’t end there. Beginning in April and continuing through October, Jacob is responsible for investigating mosquito complaints, West Nile Virus surveillance, testing and reporting the results to the Illinois Department of Public Health as part of the Illinois Vector program. Vectors are organisms that transmit infections from one host to another. The St. Clair County Health Department monitors certain vectors, such as mosquitos, and provides training and information to agencies and citizens to prevent the spread of diseases such as West Nile Virus and Lyme disease. “We collect mosquitos at multiple locations throughout the County and test for West Nile Virus,” Jacob said. “We report the results to the Illinois Department of Public Health.” In 2013, there were 25 mosquito pools confirmed positive for West Nile Virus and 10 positive pools in 2014. Jacob also works in the private sewage system and coordinates the non-community water program, which includes public establishments that are not on a public water supply. He also inspects tattoo parlors. Jacob is married and has one son and a daughter on the way.