By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Vaccinations, immunizations, and family planning are just a few of the services always available at the Barton County Health Department. But the agency grew in importance through the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff wraps up a celebration of National Public Health Week on Sunday, and Director Karen Winkelman praised her 20 employees at Wednesday's county commission meeting.
"COVID-19 showed us the importance of having a local public health system with a strong infrastructure," she said. "While navigating through a first pandemic for all of us, locally, we continue to provide core, essential public health services without disruption."
Adaptation, passion, and endurance were a few of the words Winkelman used to describe work in the health field over the past few years. The department began utilizing a new electronic medical record program in December 2017. Over the next five years, nearly 30,000 clients were entered into the system.
"A lot of programs happen," Winkelman told commissioners. "I invited you to come over and visit our health department. Call, come by. It's your health department."
Commissioner Barb Esfeld commended health department staff for choosing public service. The Barton County Health Department at 1300 Kansas Ave. in Great Bend is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. three days a week, and open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursdays.