Rural Nelson resident Sara Mertens took over as the new director of the Clay County Health Department April 15.
Mertens brings with her 18 years of healthcare experience, including 12 years as a nurse and eight in home health.
She said many things interested her about taking over as director.
“Being able to reach out and help people, I like that part,” Mertens said, adding how she sees being ‘director’ as just a word. “I’m hands on, the director part just means I have to make decisions.”
She also said how she enjoys the home-feel CCHD gives, and the connection she and those who work there have with people.
“Working with people...I feel like we’re really able to help somebody who needed assistance and came in here. I do feel like we’re able to give them answers,” Mertens added.
In working with Midlands in senior services, and having the Veteran Service Office located at CCHD, there are various ways they are able to help others.
“Whether it’s financially, medically, maybe it’s food... in public health, everything goes.”
It’s a team effort at CCHD, which is another thing Mertens said she enjoys.
Along with Mertens, Denise Carroll will be celebrating 32 years at CCHD in July as the office manager, and Sara Marshall, LPN, who has been with them for five years.
“We’ve got some pretty strong, dedicated people here, and what’s really amazing about this position and the health department, is that people who have been here previously are still involved,” she said, noting how the former CCHD director is still involved through her new position at South Heartland District Health Department.
“You still have all of these entities if you need assistance or have a question.”
Along with their usual services, Mertens said they are looking into implementing new ideas and offerings for the community, as well as looking to put in more footcare clinics, which are popular clinics for the community.
Increasing the uptake of immunization clinics is another area Mertens mentioned.
“We’ve been working with the Nebraska Cancer Coalition on promoting and feeding out a lot of education to the HPV vaccination,” she said, noting how research shows this is a big impact immunization to help protect against cancer.
Mertens lives on a farm outside of Nelson with her husband and two kids. They are involved in sports and 4-H.
*Stay tuned for more details at a later date*
