Health department highlights mobile clinic ribbon cutting, outbreak monitoring and staff changes

McHenry County health department leaders used their monthly board meeting to review recent public-health activities, including a ribbon cutting for a new mobile clinic, disease monitoring and personnel news.

The department held a ribbon-cutting event for its mobile clinic that included flu vaccinations and tours for county leadership and community groups. Director Carris said staff used the event to test workflows and make operational tweaks before broader deployment.

Staff noted the county observed a moment of silence for Jeff Lobato and that the department is exploring a permanent on-site memorial — likely a tree and plaque — to honor him.

In infectious-disease matters, staff described monitoring related to a reported Marburg virus disease cluster in Rwanda. Director Carris said state and federal partners (IDPH and CDC) are tracking travelers arriving through international ports and will notify local public-health authorities if any monitored individuals travel to McHenry County; staff described the local risk as low but said the county is prepared to monitor any identified arrivals.

Personnel updates included the retirement of health educator Dom Kanata after a long career; staff praised his school outreach work teaching handwashing and other health topics. The board also recognized environmental-health staff for stepping up amid a difficult month, and Director Carris announced that environmental-health practitioner Selena Taylor recently passed her professional exam.

Operational notes: the department reported it is working through driver qualification and non-CDL licensing steps to operate the mobile clinic fleet; the county’s Department of Transportation assisted with the process. Staff said they will meet with Medical Reserve Corps members and other employees interested in driving duties to outline training and credential steps.

No formal votes were required for these informational updates.