The Board of Trustees of the Jefferson County Health Department will be tasked with finding a new executive director after Kelley Vollmar, who had led the department since November 2015, resigned on Feb. 19.
There will be at least one new board member to help make that decision after the April 2 election, as voters across Jefferson County will choose among four candidates to fill two four-year seats on the five-member board.
Amber Henry is running for her third consecutive term. The other incumbent, Susan (Suzy) Davis, who has been an outspoken critic of the department’s handing of the COVID-19 pandemic, among other issues, opted not to run for a second term.
Others in the race include Valerie Brown Taylor and Doug Poss, both of whom retired after careers in the health care industry, and former Jefferson County Councilman Don Bickowski.
Board members are not paid but are given mileage to attend meetings.
Valerie Brown Taylor
TAYLOR, 72, of Herculaneum is retired after working in the heath field for more than 40 years, first as a dental hygienist. She later pursued a career in health administration and management, working for the United Way in Georgia. She currently is a substitute teacher, mostly in early learning education of special needs children. She and her husband, Willie, have a blended family of four daughters, two sons, 13 grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.
A graduate of Crystal City High School, Taylor earned an associate degree in applied science in 1970 from Forest Park Community College and a bachelor’s degree in health administration and management in 2013 from the University of Phoenix. She holds certifications from John Hopkins and Emory University in infectious disease communication, transmission models in policy decisions, global and community emergency response.
Doug Poss
POSS, 66, lives in Imperial with his wife, Tonia R. Lovelace-Poss. He was a retired medical research technologist at Washington University in St. Louis. He earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry in 1992 from Evangel College in Springfield and a master’s degree in practical theology and Biblical languages in 2006 from Concordia University in St. Louis.
Amber Henry
HENRY, 50, of De Soto. She and her husband, James, have two children and have been lifelong residents of Jefferson County. A university administrator, Henry has worked in the field of higher education for 25 years. She holds a master’s degree in educational administration, an educational specialist degree in information systems and learning technology and a doctorate in education.
Don Bickowski
BICKOWSKI, 56, of the Eureka area is a senior network director. He and his wife, Susan, have four children. A high school graduate, he has attended some college classes.
What experience do you have (elected office, civic organizations, volunteer work, etc.) that might serve you well in this position?
Taylor: I have done volunteering in dental and health care settings and organizations. My experience in elective office has been in small volunteer organizations. My experience in care giving, hospice, administrator training and care organizations will serve me well working with community professionals and partners. Working with children with special needs in early childhood education requires patience, empathy, insight and being a warm-hearted human.
Poss: I am a retired professional laboratory scientist and health science consultant who has been employed in various civilian, pharmaceutical and military laboratories. I understand the disease processes, scientific research and administrative aspects of the industry. I have been employed in medical research by such prestigious institutions as Washington University and taught physics in the St. Louis Public Schools. I continue to promote good health and helping individuals understand scientific data, medical and health-related issues.
Henry: I have served on the board for eight years. In that time, we have seen the department grow in the number of programs and services offered. We have expanded services, not only through the growth of offices, but also dental and wellness vans that travel throughout the county. I have volunteered with various organizations, such as Experience Jefferson County, Jefferson County Extension Council, Get Healthy De Soto and as a 4-H leader.
Bickowski: I was the Jefferson County District 1 councilman for eight years and stood up for the new charter government. I am in my first term as a Northwest R-1 school board member and with the new superintendent we are making measurable gains in all areas.
What are the biggest problems facing the department and how would you address them?
Taylor: The lack of unity and cohesion had been exhausting. It takes away from a team approach, which threatens our community safety and creates distrust. Misinformation has negative effects on all of us. Common-sense relevant, trusted information that challenges norms for better health outcomes needs addressing. Mental and physical health care is important to us all.
Poss: It concerns me that many of the board members do not have a medical or scientific background. Historically, rather than making well-informed decisions for our community that are steeped in medical scientific data, it appears that the board has taken politically correct actions by following protocols instituted by other health agencies. I would like the opportunity to work administratively as a team with the Health Department and help make decisions that are both well informed and financially sound for our community.
Henry: Attracting and retaining qualified employees. This is an issue not only had by our organization, but all throughout the health care field. We need to make sure our pay scale is competitive and that the benefits of working in public health enhance the job roles. A study is being conducted that will provide the administration and the board with the information needed to make informed decisions concerning these aspects.
Bickowski: Transparency. The department has for too long been difficult to address due to the time of the meetings, Lack of public disclosure of meeting details and procedural issues plague the board. Meetings need to be moved to evenings and better and more complete information about board meetings and actions should be provided on the website.
What can the Health Department’s board do to help retain employees?
Taylor: Bringing the temperature down would help. Also embracing the concept “we are all in this together” creates a better work environment for present and future employees.
Poss: The board could encourage creative thought, productivity incentives and solutions to circumstances that employees face in the work environment. That would also set a platform that could be carried over to the community.
Henry: Health care is a struggling field, especially after the past few years. We need to build an environment where employees feel they are fairly compensated, are provided excellent benefits, and most of all are appreciated. It is important that they feel that their work in keeping our community safe and healthy is valued and appreciated, not only by their administrators and board but by the community. The services provided by the department are diverse and I am not sure we fully understand how vital the services they provide are to our community.
Bickowski: This is an issue that would need to be discussed with the executive director to see if there are issues that need to be addressed. On both the County Council and the Northwest R-1 school board, I have worked with the administration to equalize compensation and benefits within the financial restraints of those entities. I have had great success in bring creative solutions to the table to enhance employee retention without breaking the bank.
Do you believe vaccines are effective in protecting public health?
Taylor: Vaccines have had a place in our history when we needed them to protect our children and ourselves. They have especially been needed the most to eradicate many childhood diseases that are now ticking back up. Working in a school environment gives perspective on what could happen when illnesses occur. Yes, they have worked.
Poss: The World Health Organization concedes that vaccines are not effective 100 percent of the time. Efficacy depends on a vaccine in relation to the disease process. Schedules for any vaccine should be reviewed for their cellular biochemistry and biophysics effects. Risks and benefits should be openly discussed in public formats. Individuals have specific health needs and the health of that person must be taken into consideration before any vaccine is administered. All vaccines should be well-tested before they are administered. The vaccine safety profile and data should be made openly public and available to the public.
Henry: Yes, I believe vaccines that are thoroughly vetted and well researched are effective in protecting public health. We have seen this throughout history in vaccines for polio, measles, mumps and tetanus, to name a few, that have shown to be very effective in protecting individuals and society. I believe that it is an individual choice on whether you trust a vaccine and take one.
Bickowski: Yes, if they meet the true definition of a vaccine. A vaccine is something that prevents a disease (such as mumps and measles). Words have meaning and a vaccine is a protection, not a treatment. This apparent change to this long-standing definition is wrong.
What role should the Health Department play to protect and promote better public health?
Taylor: To prioritize our public health and safety with a team mindset that moves forward in supporting our public health in Jefferson County.
Poss: The department should provide a podium for open, frank, friendly, public debate concerning health-related community issues. There should never be a forced, financial or clandestine plan. Community education and options should be freely offered to the public.
Henry: I truly believe that the department currently serves the role it is designated to perform. The department promotes better health for our community, through services and education. The department works diligently to identify and obtain funding and resources for programs and services that meet the health needs of our community.
Bickowski: In general, the department does a good job of keeping our food service protected. There are other emergency actions that it may need to take in a crisis, but it should not just rely on a bureaucratic line but undertake a full look at all available evidence before acting.
Why should voters elect you to this position? List your goals, if elected.
Taylor: I believe voters want their best interests recognized and our health infrastructure sustained with accountability and professional integrity. I hope to work to prioritize issues of community importance. I ask voters to consider qualifications and my willingness to work in the best interest of all Jefferson County residents. I support health literacy, mental health services, drug treatment programs and initiatives that sustain our growth.
Poss: I have a strong background and long research history concerning health-related issues that also includes administrative tactics. I care about people and want to make sure that our residents have a powerful health platform and the availability to make well-informed decisions. I equally desire to assist the board in making financially sound administrative decisions for the residents of Jefferson County.
Henry: As a board member it is my responsibility to provide input, guidance and thoughtful consideration to further the vision and mission of the organization. The department is highly respected throughout the state and across the country. It is my responsibility to work with the administration to identify needs in the community and ways in which to solve those needs. Finally, it is my role to ensure the services are financially supported, available to community members and well communicated.
Bickowski: I was a primary contributor in standing up for the new charter government. After the last couple of years, the Health Department board needs to look at its current operations and become a partner with the residents. I would help undertake a full review of policies so that we do not go down the same road as COVID in the next emergency but a trusted source for our residents.
