Dr. Stefen Walker presented five recommendations to the commissioners court last week including the addition of a county public health office and staff to man it.

Walker, who was appointed public health officer after the departure of Dr. Peter Coldwell, formed a public health task to investigate the county’s public health needs and concerns and to define the role of the health officer.

“In April and May, 2009, the HINI flu crisis became a timely exercise in county public health, serving as a very good indicator of how Refugio County can respond to a public health crisis,” Walker said. “The county leadership of various levels performed very well, and coordination between county, state, local hospital, school, and other authorities was outstanding.”

Walker’s recommendation to join the Texas Association of Local Health Officials was adopted last week at a cost of $600, but the remainder of the findings may be adopted later as funding becomes available.

If the recommendation for a free standing public health office is approved, Walker said the office could be combined with the Emergency Management office, due to the overlap of duties. This would also to save office space, he said. A nurse would be hired at a salary of $36,000 and a budget of $50,000. Both the nurse and emergency management coordinator would share a clerk who would serve both offices and assist with clerical duties and grant writing.

“As it stands, our public health office is in Harlingen,” he said. “We need a local public health staff on the county payroll to serve Refugio County’s needs – from Refugio County. A good start toward this end seems to be hiring a full-time registered nurse as the anchor staff for the office, a part-time administrative assistant, and plans to further grow and develop the office.”