The Northern Kentucky Health Department joined with Board of Health members, elected officials and other partner organizations to celebrate the ground breaking for our new district office on the campus of the Florence Government Center.
Obviously, those involved in the years of research and planning leading up to the May 19 event were excited for construction to get underway, as are the more than 90 Health Department employees who will work from the new facility when it’s completed next winter.
But the milestone is one that should be notable to all residents in Northern Kentucky for several reasons.
First, the new building will increase efficiency for our staff and partners as we work day-to-day to prevent disease and promote health.
In the Florence facility, staff who are currently located in four buildings across two counties will be housed together, reducing time and travel costs for meetings and other collaborative efforts. Space will be flexible to encourage collaboration as well.
The new building is designed in such a way that focuses on serving Northern Kentucky residents, whether they’re attending training or applying for a food permit.
Yet, the construction project is being done in a cost effective manner. We anticipate being able to purchase the property and build the new facility within existing funds and with no increase in local public health taxes. This reflects several years of planning by the District Board of Health and our staff to ensure that we had a facility that meets the Health Department’s needs but was within our means.
The building also positions the agency for what’s next.
The Health Department has already proven itself to be a nationwide leader in the field of public health, being one of the first in the country to be accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board.
But the work of public health departments is changing in response to disease trends, policies and other factors. As we look towards the future, public health will likely operate with a framework known as Public Health 3.0. In this structure, the Health Department serves as the Chief Health Strategist for the community, providing data and technical expertise and bringing together government agencies, community partners and private business leaders to drive improvement in health issues in our communities.
That kind of work is already underway in Northern Kentucky, as demonstrated by initiatives like LiveWell NKY and the Northern Kentucky Heroin Impact Response Task Force.
Because the new Florence facility is designed with collaboration in mind, it will support staff and partners doing that vital work – together.
So, if you happen to drive by the construction site in Florence or encounter a Health Department employee at work, I hope you’ll pause to celebrate the start of construction with us.
We’re excited to be moving forward, and hope to start 2018 on a high note, operating in a new building that will position Northern Kentucky’s Health Department to continue its leadership in the field of public health, allow staff to efficiently serve the residents of Northern Kentucky, and bring the Health Department and partners together to work towards making Northern Kentucky one of the healthiest regions in the nation.
Lynne M. Saddler, MD, MPH, is district director of health of the Northern Kentucky Health Department.
* * * * *
You may be interested in this NKyTribune story:
Groundbreaking on new Northern Kentucky Health District district office