ABOUT US   Vision & Mission Organization History

Vision

The vision of the Salina-Saline County Health Department is to be a leader among Kansas cities and counties in effectively identifying, addressing and anticipating community health needs.

Mission

The mission of the Salina-Saline County Health Department is to:

1. assess community health status and available resources,
2. develop policies to support and encourage better health,
3. assure that necessary services are provided through other entities, by regulation or by direct provision of services.

Organization

The Salina-Saline County Health Department was organized in 1955. It is a city-county health department and governed by the Board of Health. This eleven member board consists of two city commissioners, two county commissioners, one representative from each of the following associations; Kansas State Nurses Association, Saline County Veterinarians, Saline County Dental Society, Saline County Medical Society and three members-at-large. Yvonne Gibbons is the Executive Director and Health Officer.

History

The Salina-Saline County Health Department was created in 1955 as a joint city-county health department, located in the former Washington High School building on Mulberry Street. In 1969 we moved to the City-County building at 300 W. Ash, Salina, then in 1994 we moved to our present location at 125 W. Elm, directly east of the Salina Library.

Some interesting items from the archives include:

• 1955 – Dr. Howard Wagenblast is hired as the first Health Officer for the Health Department. The budget is $59,000.
• 1956 - Health Board recommends fluoridation of city water and pasteurization of milk sold in Salina.
• 1957 - Polio clinics start.
• 1958 - Health Board recommends to city commission that an adequate dog control ordinance be passed, including a required rabies vaccine.
• 1965 – Health Board discusses making food handler training a requirement for all professional food handlers.
• 1966 – The Health Department begins a family planning program.
• 1967 – Home Health services begins at the department.
• 1969 - The Health Department moves to 300 West Ash. Fluoride is added to city water supply.
• 1975 – Saline County sanitation code is adopted.
• 1976 – 10,500 people are immunized for Swine Flu.
• 1977 – WIC program begins.
• 1981 – Health Department accepts responsibility for Animal Shelter from the city.
• 1985 – Health Department begins testing for HIV/AIDS.
• 1990 – A measles outbreak occurs in Saline County and over 13,000 people are immunized.
• 1994 – Health Department moves to 125 W. Elm.
• 1999 – Smoking ban campaign is initiated.
• 2002 – An ordinance prohibiting smoking in restaurants is passed.
• 2004 – New animal ordinances are passed in the city – including a ban on pit bulls.
• 2005 – Work continues on preparing community for any potential public health emergency.