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      The Health Department responds anytime, day or night, weekends and holidays, to potential threats to public health. Call the Health Department immediately if you become ill with cramps and diarrhea within a few hours of eating, especially if friends or family who ate at the same restaurant or family function become ill, too. Other circumstances that should be reported immediately include animal bites, water pollution, municipal sewage overflow, and large hazardous materials spills (i.e. leaking oil drum or gasoline tank). Anyone having a reaction to immunizations or drug treatments received at the Health Department should call without delay.

To reach the Health Department during non-business hours,

call 451-6700.
An operator will take your call.
If it is an emergency, a Health Department professional will call you back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Mission Statement (Back to Top)

The mission of the Department of Health is "to preserve, promote and protect the health, safety and well being of the people and the environment in the County" by:

  • Acting as the guardian and as an advocate in all matters relating to the public’s health.
  • Promoting healthy lifestyles.
  • Reducing preventable illness and controlling the spread of communicable diseases.
  • Identifying and eliminating health and safety hazards.
  • Protecting and promoting the quality of the environment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The History of the Erie County Department of Health (Back to Top)

The Erie County Department of Health was established by voter referendum in 1955 to combat major threats to public health such as food poisoning, tuberculosis, polio, and childhood diseases including measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough. Mass immunization campaigns launched by the Health Department in the fifties and sixties greatly reduced the prevalence of childhood diseases. The use of newly-developed methods for diagnosing, treating, and preventing the spread of tuberculosis made this once-common disease nearly unheard-of. Development and enforcement of standards for food handling and testing and treatment of public water supplies has significantly reduced the incidence of food and waterborne illnesses caused by bacteria and parasites. Your Health Department continues to provide childhood immunizations, testing and treatment for tuberculosis, inspection of public eating establishments, and testing of public water supplies. Services have been expanded to include an office in Corry, as well as several satellite clinics providing immunizations and well-child check-ups.

Today, we are facing many new threats to public health - AIDS, rising rates of sexually transmitted diseases, smoking-related illnesses, bioterrorism, and chemical pollution of our air, soil, and water, to name a few. Today’s major health problems are related more to behavior and lifestyle than to germs. This has expanded the Health Department’s role to include more public education aimed at helping individuals understand and reduce their risks by changing their behavior.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Meet Erie County's Board of Health Directors (Back to Top)

       A five member governing board appointed by the County Executive, subject to approval by County Council.  Members serve staggered four-year terrms, and act in an advisory capacity to the County's Health Director, who also serves as on this Board.    Bi-monthly meetings are held and are open to the public. 

Board of Health Members:                             Term of Office:

Paul F. Burroughs, Esq., Chair                             1/2008 - 12/2011

Richard A. Ortoski, DO                                        1/2006 - 12/2009

Johnie M. Atkinson                                              1/2008 - 12/2011

Sant Ram, MD, FAAP                                           1/2006 - 12/2009

Reza Nassiri, DSc, FACCP                                    1/2006 - 12/2009

Andrew J. Glass, MS, FACHE                                County Health Director

Correspondences to the Board and any of its members may be sent to the

Board of Health, 606 West 2nd Street, Erie, PA 16507 

or email to pbrunner@ecdh.org

*****

2008 Board of Health Meeetings:

    

February 25         April 28             June 23

          August 25            October 27        December 15  

        Location:      606 West 2nd Street, Erie, Pa

          Time:      5PM

                                   Sessions:      Open to the public


   

 

 

The Erie County Department of Health Divisions Directors (Back to Top)

 

Andrew J. Glass, MS, FACHE, Director
aglass@ecdh.org

 

Rich Knecht, RN, BSN, Manager Public Health Preparedness
rknecht@ecdh.org

 

Janet Vogt, MPH, Manager Health Education
jvogt@ecdh.org

 

Doug Range, Director Environmental Services
drange@ecdh.org

 

Charlotte Berringer, RN, BSN, Director Community Health Services
cberringer@ecdh.org