Boone health board OKs contract for administrators
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PROVIDED PHOTOS
Ray Empereur (left) and Stephanie Seaworth.
- April 14: Lack of national search for Boone County health leader raises questions (04/13/09)
- March 10: Snag delays Boone health leader’s start (03/10/09)
- March 30: Boone hires temporary health leader (03/30/09)
By Kevin Haas
RRSTAR.COM
Posted Apr 14, 2009 @ 01:02 PM
BELVIDERE —
The Boone County Board of Health has approved a contract today with the Illinois Public Health Association for the county health department’s top job.
Contracting Ray Empereur, an IPHA employee, as the administrator for the Boone County Department of Health is the board’s fix to a hiring snafu that came about when the state failed to certify its original choice.
The board picked Stephanie Seaworth in February, but the state blocked the hire because she lacked two years of administrative in a department of public health.
Empereur has 20 years experience as an administrator in public health departments. His hire has been certified by the state.
“The expertise and experience that Ray brings is an absolute outstanding opportunity and value to the people of Boone County,” said Dr. Kent Hess, board president.
Seaworth was given the title of assistant administrator, a new position created for her, while Empereur will get to highest rank in a part-time mentoring role. Board members said Seaworth will get the top job in two years.
Empereur will be paid $600 a month, plus mileage reimbursement, according to the contract.
Seaworth will make $64,000 this year, which keeps the department under the $76,500 budgeted for the previous health administrator, Malafu Tiatia. Tiatia left the department to follow his family to the Memphis, Tenn., area.
Seaworth has administrative experience and worked in public health, including time as a staff nurse in Winnebago County and as vice president of the Ogle County Board of Health. Board members thought those credentials met the state requirements, but the Illinois Department of Public Health disagreed.
“She has excellent credentials,” Hess said. “We’re very excited about her being here. She’s made the transition pretty seamless. She has the support of the staff, the support of the board and we’re excited to have her.”
Staff writer Kevin Haas can be reached at 815-544-3452 or khaas@rrstar.com.
Boone health board OKs contract for administrators - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star
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