A new year brings resolutions, reorganizing, cleaning out closets, etc. It’s out with the old and in with the new.

Whatever resolution or changes you made for the New Year, the Ironton City Health Department wishes everyone a happy and healthy one.

As health commissioner, I would like to update you on our available services. Dr. Jim Meadows, our medical director, conducts the sports/employment physicals. These are usually scheduled once a month.

No appointments are necessary for TB skin tests; infant, child, and teen vaccinations; pregnancy testing; and of course,flu shots. Lead hemoglobin testing is available for children going to head start or daycares. All of these services are available at a low cost to the community.

We have a program called the Bureau for Children with Medical Handicaps or BCMH. A registered nurse visits these children and the families to assist with the child’s needs with what is available in our community. The nurse is employed by the health department and is skilled in working with families and children.

The Environmental Health Division sees to it that the restaurants and grocery and convenience stores are compliant with the Ohio Unified Food Safety Code. By inspecting these facilities on a regular basis, the consumer is ensured a safe and clean eating and shopping experience.

The environmental health division also inspects public swimming pools and spraygrounds, tattoo and body piercing operations, and manufactured home parks, and animal bites.

The Ironton City Health Department serves as the vital statistic office for the county. It is now possible to obtain from our vital statistics office a certified copy of your birth certificate no matter where you were born in the state of Ohio.

This service became available last January. Death certificates and burial permits are also handled in this office for those who passed away in Lawrence County.

Our environmental enforcement officer works from May 1 until October 31. This positions sees that tall grass/ weeds and trash are cleaned up within our city on abandoned or ignored properties. We also handle nuisance complaints including rats and mosquitoes.

“Working together to make a difference in the health of our community” is the mission of the Ironton City Health Department. For further information on our programs and services call us at (740) 532-2172.

We are located at 2120 S. Eighth St. in Ironton. We’re dedicated to making good health contagious.

 

Laura Brown, R.N., is the health commissioner for the Ironton City Health Department.