By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green State University President Rogers often says BGSU is a public university for the public good. Soon he will be able to add “public health” to that mantra.
On Monday evening, the Wood County Board of Health voted to accept the resignation of Wood County Health Commissioner Ben Batey. Batey will remain health commissioner until July 24 – then move into the newly created position of chief health officer at BGSU.
“This is certainly with regrets,” health board president Cathleen Nelson said about Batey’s resignation.
The new position at BGSU will allow Batey to continue working to protect and improve public health in Wood County through a proposed partnership between BGSU and the Wood County Health Department.
Rogers is hopeful that Batey can help the university navigate the uncharted waters of the coronavirus.
“It’s a critical role in our mind, to ensure we have the best protocols in place,” he said.
Rogers also wants to continue building on BGSU’s health care disciplines, and explore a partnership with the health department. The goal is to leverage the strength of both organizations, he said.
“Finding a way in which there’s a win-win for both organizations,” Rogers said.
The mutual aid agreement would allow the health department and BGSU to develop an academic and educational partnership to work toward improved public health outcomes for the Wood County community and the Northwest Ohio region.
Board member Tom Milbrodt voiced his support for the agreement between the two entities.
“I think it has a lot of possibilities,” he said.
Board member Sonja Apple-Chamberlain cast the only “no” vote.
The only concern voiced by Nelson was Batey’s absence if the coronavirus picks up. Until the board hires a new health commissioner, Director of Health Promotion and Preparedness Amy Jones will take the role of acting health commissioner.
“We’re hoping that it’s going to go quickly,” Nelson said. “At the same time, we want to get the right person.”
The proposed partnership is designed to enhance public health instruction, practice, research and workforce development and to improve public health in Wood County. The two entities will collaborate on mutually agreed upon projects that provide educational opportunities for BGSU students and assistance to Health Department employees in serving the public health needs of the Wood County community.
The 60-member staff of Wood County Health Department serves more than 125,000 residents through a wide variety of programs and services. The Health Department recently celebrated 100 years of protecting and promoting public health.
“We appreciate Ben’s excellent leadership and contributions to public health, especially through such challenging times during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Nelson said last week. “We’re excited to maintain a professional relationship with Ben in his new role as we collaborate to find ways to continue advancing public health in Wood County. I’m confident that our experienced staff can maintain the momentum established during his time with the health department.”
