Rhonda Kaetzel, Public Health Toxicologist, assesses toxic blooms of cyanobacteria in Lake Wilderness, where a health advisory warns people and their pets to stay out of the lake. Lake Wilderness in Maple Valley is one of the few lakes in King County that produces anatoxin, a dangerous nerve toxin that can be very harmful if swallowed.

Jose Romo, Nutrition Assistant, conducting a cooking demonstration for WIC clients to encourage them to try healthy new recipes.

Denise Sherify from the Environmental Health division, and Robin Pfohman, manager of the Vulnerable Populations Action Team, at the Somali Health Fair with Somali Health Board members Fardous Guled and Mohamed Ali.

Charles Wu, manager of the King County Dirt Alert program, teaching south King County residents about how to reduce contact with arsenic and lead in the soil.

Irma Wilson and Dara Chiem check-in patients at Eastgate Public Health-Family Health and Family Planning Programs

Frank Chaffee in the HIV/STD unit has been driving the Public Health truck in the Pride parade for years–while pumping out the tunes and running the bubble machine.

When a tractor trailer truck drove off of an elevated overpass and crashed onto the road below, the driver was trapped. King County medics crawled into the wreckage to begin emergency medical care inside of the cab while other crews worked on cutting him out of the mangled metal of the truck.

The Public Health HIT (Health Information Technology) team has been planning and implementing a replacement for the existing practice management system, including a new integrated, federally- certified electronic health record that will meet Public Health’s varied business needs. They’re shown here “going live” at Eastgate Public Health.

Tai Huynh, RN, of Downtown’s flu clinic, gives a flu shot to Dental Assistant Thuy Chung.

Penny Lara with Promotoras from South Park Information and Resource Center and nurses from UW and Washington Hispanic Nurses Association fan ning out across South Park to let people know about health coverage enrollment.

Sinang Lee, Environmental Health Educator, surveys fishable lakes to develop a King County map that promotes healthy consumption of local fish. She’s holding fishing line found on the public dock at Deep Lake near Black Diamond.

Dave Nichols, manager of the Public Health Reserve Corps (in foreground), providing a training on opening a shelter with the Somali Health Board. The Somali community is now prepared to set up an emergency shelter at a local Islamic center if the need arises.

The King County Mental Health Integration Program (MHIP) Behavioral Health Managers meet regularly to strengthen implementation of integrated mental health services at community health centers. Pictured from left to right: Jerry DeGreick, Interim Deputy Director for Community Health Services Division; Debra Morrison, Neighborcare Health; and, Dawn Fabian, Country Doctor.

Environmental Health Services participated with the Washington Alliance for Better Schools (WABS) to develop a comprehensive, curriculum that brings real-world STEM application to the classroom – locally and globally. Pictured is the development team, including Chris Skilton from EHS, and STEM middle school students designing, building, and testing, an artificial heart valve.

Public Health is working with school nutrition directors–like these shown at a training–to nudge students towards healthier options.

Stephanie Edlund, staff from the King County Dirt Alert team, working alongside Julie Kim, a community partner from Korean Women’s Association, to inform families in Federal Way about arsenic and lead contamination in soil.

Our HIV/STD always has a strong presence at the Pride parade and in the community, with health promotion campaigns and testing services.

Our administrative specialists like Jennifer keep our department running!

Javier Amaya of Access and Outreach helps a South Park client enroll in health insurance.

Wynetta Allen of Kent Public Health Center with the bulletin board clinic staff (especially Nancy Lamb) created to educate clients on the upcoming changes to milk in the WIC program

Public Health’s Prevention staff are working on ways to provide better access to healthy foods for childcare programs, like Tiny Tots Development Center shown here.

Kate Stein, from the TB Clinic, and members of the Public Health Reserve Corps, practice standing up a healthcare facility in case the hospitals need surge support in an emergency.

Volunteers in the Public Health Reserve Corps participating in an emergency exercise. They’re ready to provide surge support if the healthcare system needs it.

The Medical Examiner’s Office holds ceremonies to pay respects to those who died without family members able to claim and deal with their remains.

Dr. Jeff Duchin, Interim Health Officer and Chief of Communicable Disease Epidemiology and Immunizations, frequently talks to media to keep the public updated on health concerns.