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Black Hawk County Public Health planner honored; department finishes FY26-27 workforce development plan
Summary
Public Health Director Caitlin Henrich announced that Public Health Planner Lisa Sesterheim received NACCHO's 2025 Advocate of the Year award and described the department's FY26-27 workforce development plan, which lists priorities including change management, succession planning, trauma-informed care and building health equity.
Caitlin Henrich, Black Hawk County public health director, told the Board of Supervisors on Aug. 5 that Lisa Sesterheim, the county's public health planner, was named the 2025 Advocate of the Year by the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO).
Henrich said the award recognizes advocacy and outreach work, including Sesterheim's work with state and local public health committees. Henrich read an excerpt attributed to Sesterheim: "I am deeply honored to receive this award from NACCHO. Now more than ever, sustained public health advocacy is vital for building thriving communities and is a collective effort." Henrich said the award was recognized in department releases and that staff photographed the award when it arrived.
Henrich also reported the department completed its FY26-27 workforce development plan, a multi-year effort that included assessments and staff input. The plan identifies priority training areas: change management, succession planning, trauma-informed care, building health equity (to be adjusted to align with current legislation), and quality improvement and innovation. For the first time, Henrich said, the county's workforce plan includes a formal organizational culture component with employee satisfaction and staff well-being measures intended to support retention and professional growth.
Henrich said the plan was presented to the Board of Health the prior week and that copies were included in the board packet; she offered to re-send the plan to supervisors on request. No formal board action was taken; the update was informational.
