Day in the life of...

Ron Osterholm,

Health Director 

As one could imagine, a day in the life of a health director is anything but ordinary. Ron Osterholm started his days at the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health on September 6, 1988. He came to Mason City after attending college at Ferris State University, majoring in Environmental Health, working for a short period in the field of public health, and then serving in the military as a Preventive Medicine Officer for five years. He served his last three years of his military career in the 8th ID Pathfinders. "I was offered a position by Cerro Gordo County Board of Health to develop an environmental health program," says Osterholm. "The department was so new; it gave me the opportunity to make a difference."

In 1989, Osterholm drafted a document to develop a unified public health department. "When I started, there was not an Environmental Health program and our Home Health Aides  were under the Board of Supervisors and the Public Health Nurses were under the Cerro Gordo County Board of Health," stated Osterholm. The county recognized the need to unify the department, and in 1990, The Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health was established with Osterholm appointed as Heath Director. The Health Department would encompass Environmental Health, Public Health Nursing, Home Care Aides, and Senior Health Care programs. New programs based on the needs of the county, mandates, and funding would follow.

Throughout Osterholm's career as Health Director, he has been a part of many successful changes and additions to the Health Department. One of the biggest changes to the Health Department occurred after 9/11. The horrendous terror attack demonstrated how local and national health departments can be of use, especially when dealing with biological warfare and natural disasters such as floods or tornados. Yet, before 9/11 occurred, Osterholm knew the Health Department needed a Public Health Preparedness service section. In 1996, he met with our local fire department and law enforcement about creating a community emergency response team for the county and in 1998; we received funding to develop an emergency response program and Public Health Preparedness service section. Through the development of the Public Health Preparedness service section, the Health Department has been able to successfully help our community though the H1N1 outbreak and the floods of 2008, in which Osterholm believes our response was outstanding.

There have been many other changes that Osterholm believes have impacted the Health Department. One of the most rewarding impacts is the acceptance of the Health Department by community. Yet, one of the biggest challenges placed on the Health Department is dealing with public policy and mandates, which are due to changes in the political environment. One of the challenges the Health Department handles on a daily basis is dealing with non-funded mandates and determining how to fund them. Mandates are programs the Health Department is required to run without money to support it. Disease investigation is an example of a mandate the health department manages on a daily basis. "Even though we don't receive funding to support this initiative, we stay committed to preventing the development and spread of disease, to better protect the health of the community," said Osterholm. "We also have to deal with state legislators cutting our budgets and figuring out ways to maintain our services." He continues to challenge public policy to maintain successful programs at the Health Department.

Even though Osterholm believes there is not a typical day in the life of a health director at the Health Department, he continues to work with his staff to improve the health and well-being of members of Cerro Gordo County.

Fall Prevention Week

 September 18-24 marks Fall Prevention Week. When most people think of fall prevention, they usually associate the topic with senior adults. And it's no wonder, one in three seniors will fall this year, and often times these falls lead to injuries and decreased mobility. But did you know there are steps you can take now to reduce your chances for fall-related injuries later?

STEP 2:   Keep Moving  Regular Physical Activity and Balance Training are two of the most essential components of Fall Prevention. Aim for 30 minutes of walking each day and 10 minutes of balance training 2-3 days a week. Make sure you wear sensible shoes every day: wear appropriately fitting shoes with laces and non-skid soles.  

Scan your house, office, garage, bedroom, etc. Chances are you will see several hazards scattered throughout the rooms. Identify high traffic areas and try to hazard-proof the area by... 

• Securing rugs with double stick tape or no-slide backing (or remove loose rugs altogether)
• Adding non-slip mats to the bathroom and shower areas
• Removing loose wires and cords of appliances and electrical devices from high-traffic areas (Use the outlets above your kitchen counter to plug in your cell phone, not the outlet by the coffee table where the cord can dangle on the floor!)
• Cleaning and Organizing - a few minutes de-cluttering a room can significantly reduce your chances of tripping over misplaced items

These tips are also great for current seniors to incorporate as well. Help your parent or grandparent reduce their risk of falls and injuries by adding these prevention steps into their lives, too.