It’s National Public Health Week, so we thought our dedicated, amazing staff deserve a little recognition for all the ways they improve health in King County!

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.

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.

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.