A public health professional with more than 20 years of local and state experience was hired Wednesday as the next director of the McLean County Health Department.
Camille Rodriguez will take over her new role Jan. 3. She most recently worked for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services as director of its Division of Public Health’s Bureau of Community Health Promotion. Earlier in her career, Rodriguez worked for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services’ Division of Child Protection and with the Office of the Executive Inspector General in Springfield.
“I am eager to begin the new year and to lead the passionate and dedicated public health team at the McLean County Health Department,” Rodriguez said in a statement. “Working with these new colleagues, I’m committed to efficiently and effectively continuing the long tradition of excellent services and programs for which the health department is known. Looking forward, I am equally committed to building new partnerships and collaboratives that position us to meet the changing health needs and priorities of McLean County so that all residents have a chance of living a healthy life.”
Rodriguez takes over for Cathy Coverston Anderson, who’s served as interim director of the McLean County Health Department since the retirement of former director Walt Howe in February. Anderson will resume the roles of director of community health services and assistant administrator.
The health department’s board of directors approved Rodriguez’s appointment Wednesday night. Board President Judy Buchanan thanked Anderson for serving in the interim role.
“We are excited to welcome Camille Rodriguez as the new director and look forward to her leadership as the organization continues to grow and respond to the ever-changing needs of McLean County residents,” Buchanan said.
Rodriguez is a member of the Wisconsin Child Abuse Neglect Committee, the Wisconsin Medical Home Implementation Team, and the Department of Children and Families’ Steering Committee on Opioids. Rodriguez has also served on Wisconsin’s Child Death Review Council and the Long-Term Care Council.
The health department also noted Rodriguez’s other experience in Wisconsin:
Rodriguez was responsible for providing direction and leadership to 60 programs, supported by $160 million in funding, including Title V/Maternal and Child Health; Wisconsin’s WIC and Nutrition programs; Chronic Disease and Cancer control and screening programs; and, Tobacco prevention and oral health programming. She has served Wisconsin’s Medicaid programs in the administration of 1915C Home and Community Based Waivers for children and adults with disabilities and provided oversight to the state’s Birth to 3 Program, as well as and the Wisconsin Child Abuse Neglect Committee.
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