BATAVIA — Clermont County Public Health (CCPH) received national recognition this month after two staff members earned awards for programs that improve public health services and strengthen the local workforce. Connect Clermont reached out to learn more about this development following CCPH’s recent press release.
The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) presented its awards on July 16 during its annual conference in Louisville, Kentucky. The organization honored CCPH employees Katherine Schneider and Tara Jimison with Promising Practice Awards, recognizing programs that address community needs and offer models other health departments can replicate.
Katherine Schneider and Tara Jimison with Promising Practice AwardsSchneider received the award for Adapting and Advancing: Clinic Flow Innovations That Carried Forward Post-COVID, while Jimison earned recognition for From Now to Next: A Modern Succession Strategy.
“I am extremely proud of the staff's achievements in receiving national recognition for the work we do,” Health Commissioner Julianne Nesbit told Connect Clermont. “This recognition highlights our commitment to providing evidence-based solutions to improve health outcomes in Clermont County and to innovative organizational initiatives.”
NACCHO reviews submissions through a national peer evaluation process and selects programs that demonstrate measurable success, innovation, and value for other local health agencies.
Schneider's award-winning project focused on changes to Clermont County's Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the department introduced phone appointments to continue serving families while limiting in-person visits.
CCPH didn’t just set a standard for accessible treatment; it also realigned its internal processes to accommodate an ever-growing and experienced staff.
Jimison's project outlined a modern succession planning strategy designed to build a stable workforce and reduce disruptions when experienced employees retire or move into new positions. Public health departments depend on trained staff to respond quickly during emergencies while maintaining essential daily services.
Those responsibilities include investigating communicable diseases, conducting environmental health inspections, operating clinical programs, and preparing for public health emergencies. Jimison's work emphasizes planning so those services remain available without interruption.
“Our succession planning tools have evolved as the agency relies more heavily on digital platforms and content,” Nesbit said. “It’s not just about finding a talented workforce but ensuring they have all the tools they need to be successful in their positions. This allows for smoother transitions, better retention of institutional knowledge, and no disruption to services for our community.”
Morgan Calahan and Carly Lansley present their project.
CCPH commits to monitoring and improving its internal systems as the industry continues to evolve and new patient preferences emerge.
In addition to the two award winners, CCPH also contributed to the national conference through research presentations.
Epidemiologists Morgan Calahan and Carly Lansley presented "Integrating Multi-Source Fatality Review and Surveillance Data to Understand Suicide and Overdose in Clermont County." Their presentation examined how combining multiple data sources can help clinicians better understand trends in suicide and overdose deaths, supporting more informed prevention efforts.
This year's conference highlighted a strong connection between direct patient services and long-term planning to strengthen local public health operations.
CCPH stepped forward as a leader in both respects.
The department continues to serve Clermont County residents through a wide range of public and environmental health services, nursing programs and community education. Its mission focuses on preventing disease, promoting healthy communities and protecting the environment.
The national recognition reflects the department's efforts to develop programs that extend beyond Clermont County. By sharing successful approaches with other health departments, local staff members help shape best practices that could benefit communities throughout Ohio and across the country.
For more information about Clermont County Public Health and its services, visit ClermontHealthOhio.gov or call 513-732-7499.
Read more about public health issues impacting Clermont County.
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