Summit County Health Department unveils new mission and vision post-pandemic

The Summit County Council meeting on March 29, 2023, focused on the redefinition of the Summit County Health Department's mission and vision in a post-pandemic context. Health Department leaders, Phil Bondurant and Deputy Health Director Shelly Worley, presented their year-long effort to create a new framework that reflects the current public health environment and engages staff and community members.

Bondurant emphasized the importance of reevaluating the department's mission, noting that many staff members and Board of Health members were unfamiliar with the existing mission, which was over a decade old. The leadership team initiated a staff-led process to develop new core values and a mission statement that resonates with both employees and the community. This involved anonymous surveys, workgroups, and feedback sessions to ensure broad participation and buy-in from staff.

Worley outlined the core values that emerged from this process, which include transparency, accountability, health equity, innovation, and a strong employee culture. These values are intended to guide the department's efforts in delivering public health services effectively and inclusively.

The new vision states that Summit County aims to be a community where individuals can live healthy lifestyles through public health initiatives focused on awareness, education, and preparedness. The mission emphasizes addressing health equity, community engagement, and environmental stewardship, while encouraging collaboration across departments.

The council received the presentation positively, with plans to present the finalized mission and vision to the Board of Health for approval. The leaders expressed hope that this new approach would enhance community trust and engagement, allowing individuals to define their own health outcomes based on personal needs and circumstances.

Overall, the meeting highlighted a significant shift in the Summit County Health Department's approach to public health, aiming to create a more inclusive and responsive framework that prioritizes community needs and individual definitions of health.