Larry Belmont 1971-1998 / First Director
Kay Kindig 1999-2001
Jeanne Bock 2001-2010
Lora Whalen 2010-2021
Don Duffy 2021-Present
Idaho’s seven public health districts were established by Idaho Legislature.
North Idaho region officially designated the Panhandle Health District.
PHD’s Environmental Health program assists with the closure of 39 open burning dumps within the Panhandle Health District.
New Family Planning grant, expanding clinic to Boundary County.
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PHD’s Environmental Health program begins water quality monitoring of the Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer.
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Baghouse fire occurred at the Bunker Hill Lead Smelter, causing the largest lead poisoning event in US history.
PHD responds to Measles Outbreak
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Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer Protection Rules – Sewage Management established.
Bunker Hill “Box” placed on the EPA’s National Priorities List.
The Board of Health went on record to support mandating car seats for children.
Board endorsed Governor’s proclamation that State employees wear seat belts in district vehicles.
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PHD implements the Lead Health Intervention Program.
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Board approved no-smoking policy in district buildings and vehicles.
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Image: Newspaper article on Health District efforts to educate realtors on the aquifer
Proclaimed week of May 5th to be Family Immunization Week.
Board accepted the Senior Home Companion Program (Senior Companions)
Yard Remediation Program began in the “Box”.
Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer Protection Rules – Critical Materials Program established.
Board authorized PHD to become the managing agency for the ICP in Shoshone Co.
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PHD implements Women’s Health Clinic services.
PHD goes computerized and tosses the typewriters!
The Board formed the Environmental Task force to evaluate PHD’s environmental programs.
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PHD responds to another Pertussis Outbreak, Over the first 2 months 203 cases confirmed.
Larry Belmont, PHD’s first Director of PHD retires in January 1998 after 27 years.
Y2K prompts PHD to form committee with representatives in each county to plan and work with partners on issues that might come up. All clinic schedules were pre-printed two weeks in advance just in case the computers crashed when the clock struck midnight in 2000!
Idaho adds Public Health Preparedness Program to each health district in response to the 9/11 terrorist incident.
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Blood Lead Remedial Action Objective is achieved in the “Box”. Meaning 95% or more of the children living in the Box have blood lead levels less than 10 µg/dl and that less than 1% have blood lead levels greater than 15 µg/dl.
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Superfund Site boundary extended to cover the “Basin”.
PHD Home Health program receives 5-star accreditation from Avatar International.
Eliminated residential direct sewage discharges in Burke Canyon.
May 2009 – First case of H1N1 in Kootenai County
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October 2009 – Vaccine is available, mass vaccination clinics started
Facilitated development of sewer to Heyburn State Park Float homes.
Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) program initiated in Kootenai and Shoshone counties.
PHAB National Accreditation awarded.
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PHD adds Parents Leading Active Youth (PLAY) program.
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PHD Home Health program awarded Medicare 5-Star recognition.
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Image: PHD staff attend an All District Staff Meeting and provide service projects to the community
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Prescription Drug Overdose Program awarded $1 million grant.
National Guard deployed to assist health districts and hospitals in Idaho in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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PHD continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic that has now continued for two years. PHD continues to provide data, case investigation, call center, testing, vaccines, and collaboration with community partners.
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Image: PHD hosts vaccine clinics at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds with assistance from the National Guard and Medical Reserve Corps Volunteers