Leadership for Healthy People and Communities

Details
 

11/15/2023

Health Commissioner

Toledo-Lucas County Health Department

The Toledo-Lucas County Health Department

The Toledo-Lucas County Health Department (“TLCHD”) is committed to being the leader in public health by promoting and protecting the health of all people where they live, learn, work, and play with a vision of a healthier Lucas County for everyone.  The TLCHD’s core values are:

• Health Promotion: We actively promote the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors that enable our community to reach its healthiest state.
• People Focused: Our primary focus is to provide the best public health for those who rely on our leadership and guidance to live happier, healthier lives.
• Collaboration: We foster partnerships with key community stakeholders to enhance the delivery and effectiveness of public health information and practices.
• Communication: We encourage open and clear communication within our agency and to the community in a timely, culturally appropriate, and respectful manner.
• Empowerment: We empower our citizens to make healthier choices through education and a shared responsibility for the health of the public.
• Disease Prevention: We actively screen, evaluate, and educate our clients through evidence-based prevention.

The Health Department is neither a county entity nor a municipal entity but is a combined regional health district whose operations are dictated by a merger agreement entered into by the various local elected officials (Mayor or County Commissioner). This merger agreement has been in effect for over 20 years.  The Health Department’s $11+MM budget is generated from general fund revenue along with fees for services and grants.

Dr. Eric Zgodzinski retired from his role as Health Commissioner after 22 years in public health and the last 7 as Commissioner.  The Health Board has therefore embarked on a national search to recruit a Health Commissioner to guide the TLCHD and its prominent work in public health in Toledo, Lucas County and the broader region. More information about the TLCHD can be found on its website: www.lucascountyhealth.com

The Position

Location

The Health Commissioner will have an office in the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department at 635 North Erie Street, Toledo, Ohio 43604-5317; telephone 419.213.4100. 

Reporting Relationships

The Health Commissioner reports to the 12-member Board of Health, which meets monthly. This executive will staff or regularly attend a variety of Board Committee meetings.  The Health Commissioner will direct the TLCHD staff including the following senior staff positions: Deputy Health Commissioner, Chief of Staff; Interim Medical Director; Minority Health Program Coordinator, Health Communication Specialist and Directors of Childhood Wellness, Environmental Health, Finance, Human Resources, IQI, IT & Operations, Nursing & Health Services, a total of over 120 employees.   Of the staff, 70 are represented by the AFSCME and 11 by the Ohio Nurses Association, with the next contract renewal scheduled for 2025.

Other important interactions include: county and municipal elected and appointed officials; state and national elected officials; representatives of hospitals, FQHCs, other public and private health-related agencies; academic leaders within the region’s schools of public health, allied medicine and medical schools; members of the media; the public at large.

Position Charter

This position develops and executes program, operations, and fiscal strategies that advance the agency in alignment with accreditation, regulatory, and internal policies. Links the public health strategy for the community and organization to ensure that the community is better served. Provides guidance in the formulation and execution of a sound financial strategy. Serves as secretary to the Board of Health and represents the Board to internal and external stakeholders, which includes conducting presentations and other outreach events. Carries out all orders of the Board and the Ohio Department of Health in the enforcement of all communicable disease control, sanitation & wellness laws, and regulations on behalf of the agency. Keeps public informed on all matters that impact public health.

Major Duties & Responsibilities 

• Act as the secretary and executive officer of the Board of Health, which includes, but is not limited to, communicating with Board members, carrying out Board directives, working with the Board President, and ensuring the Board is complying with all applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
• Ensure enforcement of all laws and regulations under jurisdiction of the Board of Health (e.g., administration of programs in communicable diseases, vector control, epidemiology, health services, environmental health, and other programs).
• Update and educate jurisdictional partners, community members, and external agencies through various presentations including media. Serve as key public relations spokesperson for the health district.
• Work with the Board of Health, staff and other stakeholders to develop and articulate a vision for public health and the organization and encourage others to share the vision; assure the integration of the Board of Health into the changing landscape of the regional health environment and health systems.
• Direct and ensure the timely creation, development, and implementation of TLCHD strategies, goals, mission, vision and values for the TLCHD as a whole.
• Enforce all sanitary laws and regulations in the health district by working with appropriate staff and divisions.
• Plan and participate in events, such as conferences, to educate, engage, and inform the community, legislatures, and other agencies of health topics and issues affecting the health district.
• Champion QI processes and data-driven solutions and processes throughout the organization. This includes ensuring that Public Health Accreditation is achieved and maintained.
• Identify and analyze public health policy issues and alternatives; utilize principles of media advocacy to communicate the public health mission to stakeholders; work with community coalitions and advocacy groups; guide the community and organization in seeking policy change and action on public health issues; translate policy decisions into organizational and community programs and services.

• Seek volunteer leadership positions with local funding agencies, e.g., United Way, Family First Council, community foundations, to encourage them to support public health priorities identified through community health assessment processes.
• Educate state and federal legislators and policymakers and advocate for funding needs and necessary policy changes to address current and emerging public health problems.
• Serve on boards and committees of other community organizations to assure that the District Board of Health is fully integrated into the local public health system.
• Participate in peer professional and stakeholder organizations.
• Along with the Board President, ensure that the Board of Health completes the annual Ethics training and bring additional trainings to the Board of Health as needed.
• Operate under Board of Health authority to take action in time of public health emergencies; respond to public health emergencies in accordance with agency response plans using the National Incident Command Structure (“NIMS”) system.
• Serve as the Chief Community and Agency Health Strategist. This includes linking the community’s public health strategy and the organization’s strategy to ensure that each strategy builds off each other to better serve the community.
• Foster relationships with external agencies and partners to investigate community needs and share the information with appropriate TLCHD staff to improve community response.
• Attend and participate in various internal and external meetings, including Board of Health Meetings, Director Meetings, Committee Meetings, etc.
• Oversee the organization’s budget and participate in, as needed, budgetary decisions that will impact the programs and services within the community.
• Provide oversight of general staffing functions (e.g. interviewing, supervising, etc.) including maintaining adequate staffing and efficiency, completing payroll, approving/denying PTO requests, and achieving budget objectives; assesses employees by providing feedback, setting goals, evaluating work performance, and directing disciplinary actions as needed.
• Prepare or oversee the preparation of a variety of reports, correspondence, and other related material.
• Lead organizational efforts to achieve and maintain local health department accreditation from the Public Health Accreditation Board (“PHAB”) and adhere to PHAB core competencies (list will be provided).
• Attend and participate in conferences, seminars, trainings, or related education classes as assigned.
• Perform other tasks and duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Board.

Compensation

The Health Commissioner is expected to earn a base salary of at least $136,000; appropriate benefits including participation in the Ohio Public Employee Retirement System, as well as some relocation assistance, will be provided.

The Candidate

Education

As prescribed in Ohio Revised Code 3709.11: The person appointed a commissioner candidate must be a licensed physician, licensed dentist, licensed veterinarian, licensed podiatrist, licensed chiropractor, or the holder of a master’s degree in public health or an equivalent master's degree in a related health field as determined by the members of the Board of Health in a general health district.

Professional Qualifications

The ideal candidate must have at least 5 years of experience in a full-time senior leadership position with a public health agency including responsibility for disease prevention and control programs, preferably in a supervisory or other administrative position with at least 5 years of experience in the management of personnel.  Alternative experience may come from another healthcare field including hospital or health agency or university environment. Experience serving a complex and diverse urban and suburban marketplace along with significant Board interaction are strongly desired.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Valid public health license/certification(s) (i.e., Registered Sanitarian, MD, etc.).
• Expert knowledge of public health laws, practices, and policies and collective bargaining units, where applicable.
• Strong working knowledge of Ohio Revised Code or the ability to rapidly learn details around ORC.

• Strong proficiency with use of PC hardware & software (including Microsoft Office and Excel).
• Expert customer service, verbal and written communication skills, and presentation skills.
• Expert interpersonal relationship skills including cultural sensitivity and competence.
• Ability to understand and discuss large budgets and budgetary controls and strategies for various programs, departments, and divisions.
• Proficiency with internal databases, online data management systems, and data collection methodology.
• Expert leadership ability.
• Demonstrated knowledge of applicable regulatory standards and policies.
• Ability to seek out other funding sources, including grants, that will help advance the programs and services at the organization and further the organization’s strategy.
• Must have and maintain throughout employment a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and be insurable under the Lucas County Commissioners Risk Management.

Desired Professional Leadership and Personal Traits

• Integrity (possesses the highest ethical and moral standards; transparent and trustworthy).
• Critical thinker (ability to make decisions while exhibiting sound and accurate judgement).
• Communication skills (proven excellence in persuasive and engaging written and oral communication, including public speaking, with demonstrated media experience).
• Executive presence (leadership abilities; ability to coach and inspire others; confidence; composure; charisma.).
• Board relationships (significant involvement with governance and Board of Director interactions).
• Staff leadership (demonstrated ability to develop, motivate and build high functioning teams; inclusive; provides basic direction; yet allows senior staff team to execute without excessive personal involvement).

• Human relations skills (relates well to people; builds constructive and effective relationships).
• Inclusive (demonstrated history of personal and professional commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion).
• Collaborative (demonstrates a willingness and ability to work with and through other individuals and organizations; diplomatic).
• Communication skills (excellent listener; outstanding written and oral communication abilities; strong presentation skills).

• Fiscal management (demonstrated ability to manage financial affairs of an organization, i.e., develop revenue sources and control expenditures to preserve financial stability).

• Mission driven (demonstrated ability to understand a commitment of public service.
• Change agent (demonstrated ability to manage change and be creative and innovative.

• Decision making process (carefully assesses facts of a situation and weighs alternatives but is decisive).

• Teamwork (recognizes that many parties are necessary to accomplish big things).

• Project management (effectively manages multiple tasks, projects, and priorities; good with details).
• Community/public relations (effectively interacts with the public, partner organizations, community groups, business leaders, elected officials, and the media and can articulate TLCHD’s mission, goals, objectives, and policy positions). 

• Organizational skills (decision-making, conciseness, results-oriented, ability to meet established goals and objectives).).

• Regional knowledge (has/able to develop an appreciation for Northwest Ohio culture).

Challenges and Opportunity  

Key accomplishments and challenges for the new Health Commissioner in the first year and beyond include:

• Establish presence as the Health Department’s Health Commissioner through immersion into the details of the day-to-day operations of the Department and becoming knowledgeable about the work of its staff, finances, programs, services, and Board members.
• Become actively involved in the community, attending multiple Health Department and non-Department events; become known as “the face” of the Health Department within the Toledo-Lucas County regional community.
• By listening and observing, form effective working relationships with key municipal, county, regional and state government leaders, community partner agencies, university, and other educational officers.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with the medical community and with higher education, especially Schools of Public Health.
• Optimize current funding and identify additional sources of revenue. 

The Health Commissioner is a highly visible public leadership position in Toledo and Lucas County and, as such, the new Commissioner will have significant influence on the continued thoughtful service to and improved health status of the community and the region in the years to come.  The Health Department Board of Health and staff leaders are not content with the status quo and have high expectations for the Department’s new Commissioner to lead them into “the next chapter” for the Health Department and community.

Toledo, Lucas County and Northwestern Ohio

Located on western Lake Erie, Toledo and Lucas County offer all the attributes of a large cosmopolitan metropolitan area, while maintaining small town atmosphere and charm. Toledo has over 270,00 residents, making it the fourth largest city in Ohio.  Lucas County’s population is 430,000, the three county MSA has a population of 650,000+ and the 11 ­county Northwestern Ohio region has almost one million people.

The Toledo and Lucas County community includes residents from diverse ethnic backgrounds and has maintained a solid economy with a mix of service, healthcare, and manufacturing businesses. There are 33 colleges, universities and community colleges within 60 miles of Toledo, accounting for one of highest such concentrations in the United States. With an enrollment of more than 71,000 undergraduate and graduate students, Northwest Ohio offers a comprehensive selection of higher education programs including nationally recognized schools of engineering, pharmacy, education, business, law and medicine.

There are recreational, sporting, and cultural activities available year-round and the area is home to an extensive Metroparks system, a nationally recognized zoo and symphony orchestra, a world­ renowned museum of art, and a variety of neighborhood festivals. Professional and collegiate athletics include minor league baseball and minor league hockey along with collegiate Division I, II and III sports programs.

More information can be found on the following websites:

• Destination Toledo: www.visittoledo.org

• Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce: toledochamber.com

• City of Toledo: www.toledo.oh.gov
• Lucas County: www.co.lucas.oh.us

Contacts

We fully respect the need for confidentiality of information supplied by interested parties.  NOTE: prospective candidates should be aware that any applications or resumes submitted for this opportunity are subject to the Ohio Public Records Act and may be disclosed. 

If you are aware of an outstanding health executive who meets these requirements and would be interested in evaluating this dynamic opportunity, please email Health@Waverly-Partners.com or contact either consultant at Waverly Partners, the executive search firm retained by the Board of Health on this search.

Heidi G. Milosovic, Managing Director & Principal         Eric N. Peterson, Managing Director & Principal

Waverly Partners, Cleveland, Ohio                                   Waverly Partners, Cleveland, Ohio

O: 440.355.6629; M: 216.387.0832                                  O: 440.892.5961; M: 440.463.0988                         

HMilosovic@Waverly-Partners.com                                EPeterson@Waverly-Partners.com

The Toledo-Lucas County Health Department is committed to an inclusive and diverse team and is an equal opportunity employer. The TLCHD does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, marital status, or any legally protected status.

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