Mississippi County meets its new health administrator

Jerry Lathum, emergency response planner for area health departments, introduces Rachelle Johnson, administrator of the Mississippi County Health Department, during Thursday's regular Mississippi County Commission meeting. Scott Welton, Staff

CHARLESTON -- The county's new health department administrator has hit the ground running.

Rachelle Johnson, administrator of the Mississippi County Health Department, and Jerry Lathum, emergency response planner for area health departments, met with Mississippi County Commissioners during their regular meeting Thursday.

While Johnson began serving in the position May 4, this was her first meeting with county officials.

Johnson said she has plenty of experience with the health department: "I've been at the Health Department for 15 years," she said.

But as she is still new to the administrator position, "I'll be asking questions," Johnson predicted.

Lathum, who serves county health departments in Scott, New Madrid, Mississippi, Pemiscot and Dunklin counties, said he has worked with several department administrators over the last decade, all of whom have been good.

Lathum said as planner, he assists health department administrators prepare for disasters and works closely with the State Emergency Management Agency.

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