debbie@jcnews.com
The Jones County Board of Health welcomed a new district health director and board member at its September quarterly meeting, while also wishing its retiring nurse manager well.
The Sept. 3 meeting began with a welcome by Chairman Ed Barbee. The meeting would not be called to order until later when a quorum was present.
It was the first meeting for District Director Dr. Kim Cook, who officially began his role in the position July 1, and interim school superintendent Clinton Burston.
Nurse Manager Sherry Bryant will retire later this month after 30 years of service in public health. She has been in her position in Jones County since 2011.
Her career in public health started in Butts County in 1995.
In her report, Bryant said flu vaccinations were down, with Jones County High School receiving the most, which she said is unusual.
The number of patient visits was 308 for the quarter.
Bryant said they were working to get the numbers up. She added the school audits would start next week.
Environmental Health Specialist Maggie Graham gave reports for facility inspections and other permits. She said Jones County has 65 permitted facilities, and 34 routine food service inspections had been performed.
The specialist said Jones County has four new restaurants: Trina Bells, Wendy’s, Osaka and Graze with Ashley.
Graham said the septic permits and inspections were the same as the previous quarter, animal bites were up, and complaints were down. She said it is normal for animal bites to increase in the summer, but there were no positive rabies cases.
The finance report was given by Sylvia Woodford. She said the report was for the period ending July 31, which is 8 percent of FY26. The total revenues were $49,364 and total expenses $72,099. The cash in the bank was $422,338.
“Audits begin this month, and we will present the results next meeting,” she said.
Director’s report
Cook introduced himself and stated he had visited all the county departments in the North Central Health District. He said he was born in Savannah and has worked for the CDC and three different health departments.
“I wanted to come back to Georgia and public health,” he said.
A press release about the new director states he has an extensive background in preventive medicine, epidemiology and clinical research. Cook is a native of Georgia and earned his Bachelor of Science at the University of Georgia followed by a Doctor of Medicine from the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta.
In addition to his career with the CDC, Cook founded and led a clinical research site in Gainesville.
His district report included information that there had been two positive measles cases in Atlanta.
Cook did have good news about a new Perinatal Home Visiting Program that will include Jones County. He said the district received $740,000 for the program, and two registered nurses will be hired to provide the services.
“The goal is to improve outcomes and reduce morbidity,” he said.
Cook said the program will provide services for pregnancy through a year after birth.
“I think it’s a great program that will provide benefits to your county.”
Bryant said home visits were part of the first job she had in public health.
“It’s one of the most rewarding things I’ve done,” she said.
