Phone: 701.328.2372
E-mail: tdwelle@nd.gov

The state health officer is appointed by the governor to be the chief administrative officer of the department as well as a member of the governor's cabinet. The state health officer implements state laws governing the department within the guidance of the governor and the regulations adopted by the State Health Council. In addition, the state health officer is a statutory member of about a dozen boards and commissions, such as the governing board of the Public Employees Retirement System, the Children's Services Coordinating Committee and the State Water Pollution Control Board.

Terry Dwelle, M.D., M.P.H.T.M., C.P.H, was appointed to the office of state health officer by Governor John Hoeven in October 2001. Previously, Dr. Dwelle served as chief medical officer for the department. Dr. Dwelle earned his medical degree from St. Louis University School of Medicine, graduating cum laude. He later received a master's degree in public health and tropical medicine from Tulane University where he received the Dean’s Scholarship Award. A Garrison, N.D. native, Dr. Dwelle has worked with the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and the U.S. Public Health Service Indian Health Service. In addition, he practiced pediatrics in Bismarck, N.D., for many years. Most recently, Dr. Dwelle headed development of the Community Engagement Program in East Africa. In 2008, Dr. Dwelle received the national McCormack Award from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO). The McCormack Award is a presented each year to a public health official who has demonstrated excellence in public health and has made a significant contribution to the knowledge and practice of the field.

Excerpts of Dwelle's Curriculum Vitae

The deputy state health officer assists the state health officer in implementing state laws governing the department and serves on several boards and commissions in lieu of the state health officer. In addition, the deputy state health officer provides leadership in administrative and support functions for the department, such as budget, accounting, payroll, human resources, public information and facilities.

Arvy Smith was appointed deputy state health officer by Governor John Hoeven in November 2001. She has almost 28 years of experience in state government, including as a management and fiscal analyst for the North Dakota Office of Management and Budget. In addition, Arvy worked in the auditing area for 10 years with the Department of Human Services and the State Auditors Office. A certified public accountant and a certified manager, Arvy earned a master’s degree in public administration with a health-care certificate in 2008. In 1996, she received the George A. Bell Service Award from the National Association of State Budget Officers for her work on government performance measures. Arvy has served on various committees for the Association of State and Territorial Health Officers, as president and chair of the board for the Dakota West Chapter of the National Management Association, and on the supervisory committee for Capital Credit Union. Arvy is a native of Bismarck and New England, N.D.

Londa Rodahl
Administrative Assistant

Phone: 701.328.2372
E-mail: lrodahl@nd.gov

Londa Rodahl began working for the North Dakota Department of Health in August 1975 in the Environmental Health Section. She moved to her current position as administrative assistant to the state health officer in May 1992. Londa also provides assistance to people who request information about the programs and services of the North Dakota Department of Health. She is originally from Minot, N.D.

Healthy North Dakota is a statewide initiative whose goal is to improve the health of every North Dakotan by inspiring people to establish personal behaviors and support policies that improve health and reduce the burden of health-care costs. Healthy North Dakota works through innovative statewide partnerships to support North Dakotans in their efforts to make healthy choices . in schools, workplaces, senior centers, homes and anywhere people live, work and play. At the August 2002 Healthy North Dakota Summit, 130 people representing more than 75 organizations met to define wellness and identify priorities for North Dakota. The input gathered at the summit provides the framework for the statewide wellness plan. Summit participants identified the following topics as priorities for North Dakota:

• Tobacco use
• Substance abuse/mental health
• Healthy weight and nutrition
• Healthy weight and physical activity
• Health disparities
• Worksite wellness
• Community engagement
• Third-party payers/insurance

Melissa Olson joined the North Dakota Department of Health in 1999 as the Cardiovascular Health Program coordinator. In 2000-2001, Melissa also coordinated the School Health Program and co-directed the Tobacco Prevention and Control Program. She was named coordinator of the Healthy North Dakota Program in 2003 and director in 2004. A native of Minot, N.D., Melissa earned bachelor’s degrees in food and nutrition and corporate and community fitness from North Dakota State University and is a licensed, registered dietitian. She received the Outstanding Young Dietitian award from the North Dakota Dietetic Association in 2003 and the President Charles E. Kupchella Preventive Medicine and Wellness Award from the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences in 2008.

Kelly Nagel
Local Health Liaison

Phone: 701.328.2372
E-mail: kjnagel@nd.gov

The local health liaison acts as liaison between the North Dakota Department of Health and local public health units and other key public and private partners. The local health coordinator administers the State Block Grant, which provides funding to local public health units, and advises the state health officer about issues related to local public health. In addition, the local health coordinator is involved in response to public health units during infectious disease outbreaks and natural disasters.

Kelly Nagel began working in state government in 1992 and joined the North Dakota Department of Health in 2002. Previously, she worked as the clinical dietician and wellness coordinator for the North Dakota State Hospital and as a part-time consultant dietitian and group fitness instructor at the James River YMCA. A licensed, registered dietitian, Kelly is a member of the American Dietetic Association. She earned a bachelor's degree in food and nutrition with a minor in child development and family science from North Dakota State University and a master's degree in management with an emphasis in health care from University of Mary. Kelly is a native of Gwinner, N.D.

The divisions and offices in the Administrative Support Section provide support to the entire Department of Health. The section includes the divisions of Accounting, Vital Records and the Division of Education Technology, as well as the local health liaison, the public information officer, the information technology coordinator and the human resources director.

Arvy Smith, a certified public accountant and a certified manager, was appointed deputy state health officer by Governor John Hoeven in October 2001. Previously, she was a budget analyst for the Office of Management and Budget, where her portfolio included the Department of Health and the Department of Human Services. While with OMB, Arvy coordinated the development of the North Dakota Delivers project, which identifies key priorities for state government and provides a system to measure progress towards statewide goals. A native of Bismarck and New England, N.D., Arvy earned her accounting degree from Moorhead State University in 1981.

Phone: 701.328.2392
E-mail: bmweisz@nd.gov

The Division of Accounting provides accounting and financial control records which comply with state and federal requirements. This data is distributed monthly to division directors to assist them in monitoring federal and state grant expenditures, revenue and state appropriations. The division prepares financial reports, reviews grant applications, collects revenue, pays expenses, processes the payroll and submits the department's biennial budget. The division uses the Internet to share data with state and federal agencies and various other users, providing rapid access to current information.

Brenda Weisz began working in state government in 1988 and joined the North Dakota Department of Health in 2012. Her past experience includes six years with the Office of the State Auditor and 18 years with the Department of Human Services. A certified public accountant, Brenda earned her accounting degree from the University of Minnesota - Moorhead in 1988. Brenda is a native of Bismarck, N.D.

Phone: 701.328.3256
E-mail: ddwilke@nd.gov

The Office of Human Resources provides a variety of services to the North Dakota Department of Health, including recruiting and training employees, classifying positions, administrating salaries and developing policies.
 
Dirk Wilke began working for the Department of Health in 2008 and was promoted to Human Resources Director in 2012.  Dirk was also appointed the North Dakota Department of Health HIPAA Coordinator and Privacy Officer in 2011. A two time graduate from the University of Mary, Dirk received his bachelor's degree in communications and his master's degree in business administration. He also received his juris doctorate degree from the University of North Dakota School of Law. He is a native of Helena, Montana. 

Stacy Eberl
Public Information Officer

Phone: 701.328.4619
E-mail: sleberl@nd.gov

The public information specialist supports the department's communication of public health information, policies and resources to the citizens of North Dakota. Duties include coordinating media relations; preparing newsletters, brochures and other materials; coordinating special events; providing or arranging communication training; releasing information through the media; and working with various groups to promote public health.

Stacy Eberl joined the North Dakota Department of Health’s Office of Public Information in 2004. She was promoted to the lead public information officer for the department in 2011. A graduate of the University of Mary, she holds a bachelor’s degree in communications. Stacy previously worked as a reporter and anchor for a television station in Bismarck. She is a native of Tappen, N.D.

Darin Meschke
Division of Vital Records
Director

Phone: 701.328.2494
E-mail: dmeschke@nd.gov

The two primary functions of the Division of Vital Records are registration and certification of vital events which occur in the state, including births, deaths, fetal deaths, marriages and divorces. The goal of the division is to maintain 100 percent registration of all vital events. To achieve this goal, much querying and follow-up is done. Providing timely responses to public requests for certified copies of vital event documents is also important. This information is needed for many reasons, including passport applications, school entrance, job applications, Social Security benefits, etc.

Darin Meschke joined the North Dakota Department of Health in 1996 as a data processing coordinator in the division of Disease Control. In September 2001, he transferred to the department's Administrative Services Section, shifting his responsibilities to the divisions of Accounting and Vital Records and the Office of the State Health Officer. In September 2003, Darin was appointed the director of Vital Records. Originally from Minot, N.D., Darin has a bachelor's degree in computer science from Minot State University, as well as a bachelor's degree in information systems management from Texas Lutheran College.

Darin Meschke
Information Technology Coordinator

Phone: 701.328.2494
E-mail: dmeschke@nd.gov

The lead information technology coordinator is responsible for providing leadership in coordinating the activities and functions of the information technology group within the North Dakota Department of Health. This group is responsible for developing recommendations to department administrators concerning all areas of information technology (IT). Other duties include developing and implementing the department's IT plan; monitoring IT budgets; assigning IT staff and support; and serving as the department's security officer for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.

Darin Meschke joined the North Dakota Department of Health in 1996 as a data processing coordinator in the division of Disease Control. In September 2001, he transferred to the department's Administrative Services Section, shifting his responsibilities to the divisions of Accounting and Vital Records and the Office of the State Health Officer. In July 2002, Darin was named the lead information technology coordinator for the department. Originally from Minot, N.D., Darin has a bachelor's degree in computer science from Minot State University, as well as a bachelor's degree in information systems management from Texas Lutheran College.

Tim Wiedrich
Education Technology

Phone: 701.328.2270
E-mail: twiedric@nd.gov

The Division of Education Technology supports educational efforts and emergency notification activities through the implementation of technology. The division creates distance learning programs; produces broadcast quality video; distributes electronic media through videotape, CD-ROM and Internet streaming; and distributes paper-based media through the mail. The division also is responsible for the development, implementation and maintenance of the Health Alert Network, a notification system that provides emergency and non-emergency medical information to the medical community, public safety officials and the public.

Tim Wiedrich joined the North Dakota Department of Health in 1984 as a program representative for the Division of Emergency Medical Services. He became the training coordinator in 1986 and was appointed director in 1988. Tim received bachelor's and master's degrees in business administration and management from the University of Mary. Before joining the state health department, Tim served as chief investigator for the North Dakota Attorney General's Consumer Fraud and Antitrust Division. He is a native of Beulah, N.D., where he was a member of the volunteer ambulance service for 10 years.

Phone: 701.328.2270
E-mail: twiedric@nd.gov

The goal of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Section is to enhance the preparedness and response capabilities of the state's public health and private medical providers.

The section utilizes federal grants provided to all states for this purpose: the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention grant funds efforts to build the state's public health infrastructure, and the U.S. Health Resources Services Administration grant funds hospital preparedness.

The section works to create and promote a state of readiness and response to protect the health of North Dakotans during catastrophic events, large-scale disasters, and emergencies.

The Emergency Preparedness and Response Section integrates emergency preparedness with many other divisions and sections of the North Dakota Department of Health, including Disease Control, Microbiology, Chemistry, Public Information and Education Technology. In addition, the section provides training and leadership to the department in incident command.

Tim Wiedrich joined the North Dakota Department of Health in 1984 as a program representative for the Division of Emergency Medical Services and was appointed director in 1988. He received bachelor's and master's degrees in business administration and management from the University of Mary, as well as a public health certificate in preparedness, response and recovery from the University of Minnesota. Before joining the state health department, Tim served as chief investigator for the North Dakota Attorney General's Consumer Fraud and Antitrust Division. He is a native of Beulah, N.D., where he was a member of the volunteer ambulance service for 10 years. In addition to serving as section chief of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Section, Tim also directs the department's Division of Education Technology.

The Division of Emergency Medical Services and Trauma is the lead agency for North Dakota's Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system. The EMS system consists of ambulance services that provide medical care faand transportation, quick response units that provide treatment to patients until ambulances arrive, rescue services that extricate people who are entrapped, and hospitals that provide emergency room and trauma services.

The division carries out the following functions:

• Annually licenses 142 ground ambulance services that meet standards for service availability, equipment and personnel training
• Updates and maintains training, testing and certification programs for about 5,000 EMS personnel, including emergency medical technicians and paramedics
• Administers an EMS grant program for training expenses by distributing grants of $235,000 per year
• Provides technical assistance to local emergency medical services, including patient care issues, system design, administration and operation
• Maintains an EMS personnel data system that contains about 10,000 certification records
• Maintains an ambulance run report data system which collects about 30,000 records each year and generates reports to ambulance services, state agencies and others
• Provides critical incident stress debriefing services to law enforcement, fire and EMS personnel engaged in EMS
• Implements and maintains a statewide trauma system
• Provides continuing education to EMS personnel through distance learning and videotape presentations
• Maintains a certified nurse aide registry
• Administers a resource library accessible to every citizen in North Dakota
• Works to prevent and control the occurrence of agricultural injury and death through surveillance and education.

Juli Sickler
Division of Public Health Preparedness Director

Phone: 701.328.2293
E-mail: jsickler@nd.gov

The Division of Public Health Preparedness provides local and state public health guidance, planning, coordination, response and funding for large-scale emergencies. These activities include coordination and funding of incident command and control, coordination of the state medical supply cache, coordination of all-hazards preparedness planning with local and tribal public health, and coordination for receipt of federal medical assets with the Strategic National Stockpile.
 
The Division of Public Health Preparedness integrates emergency preparedness with many other divisions and sections of the North Dakota Department of Health, including Disease Control, Laboratory Services, Public Information, Environmental Health and Education Technology.
 
Juli Sickler joined the North Dakota Department of Health in 2003 as an administrative assistant to the Emergency Preparedness and Response Section. Juli was named director of the Division of Public Health Preparedness when the section was reorganized in 2009. She earned a bachelor’s degree in management from the University of Mary, Bismarck, N.D. Before joining the Department of Health, Juli worked with the Missouri Slope Areawide United Way and the Pet Connection Humane Society. Juli is a native of the Dickinson, N.D. area.
 

Mary Tello-Pool
Division of Hospital Preparedness Director

Phone: 701.328.2748
E-mail: matellopool@nd.gov

The Division of Hospital Preparedness coordinates and supports emergency preparedness activities throughout the state’s health-care system. The division works with hospitals, long-term care facilities, emergency medical services, and clinics in planning and implementing systems for providing care to those affected by emergencies and infectious disease outbreaks.

Mary Tello-Pool, a Bismarck native, began working for the North Dakota Department of Health in 2010 as the Emergency Medical Services for Children Program manager. Prior to that, Mary worked in public health as the Southwest Central Region Emergency Preparedness and Response Planner through Bismarck Burleigh Public Health. Mary has also worked under contract in Emergency Preparedness and Response Planning for the EPR section of the North Dakota Department of Health. She has an extensive background in disaster preparedness and response and disaster health services through the American Red Cross where she has spent many years as an active disaster nurse volunteer and CPR/AED/First Aid instructor. Mary, a Licensed Practical Nurse, served as chairman for the Emergency Preparedness and Response Committee for the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. Mary holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in psychology, and is currently in the dissertation phase toward attaining her doctorate. Mary is also certified to level V in Homeland Security by the American Board for Certification in Homeland Security.

Phone: 701.328.2352
E-mail: dbartz@nd.gov

The Health Resources Section consists of three divisions: Health Facilities, Life Safety and Construction, and Food and Lodging.

The section is responsible for licensing hospitals, nursing homes, basic care facilities, home health agencies, hospice programs, electrologists, electronic hair removal technicians, restaurants and lodging establishments. Staff members conduct certification surveys of all health care facilities and programs that serve Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, as well as Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment laboratories.  The section administers the Alternative Health Care Projects Program; the nurse aide training and competency programs; the health professional loan repayment programs; the Critical Access Hospital Program; and the U.S. Public Health Service Community Development Program. The section also provides technical assistance for policy/plan development and grant writing in support of health care services and personnel in rural areas.

Some of the issues faced by the Health Resources Section include:

• Critical Access Hospital designation and certification for rural North Dakota hospitals
• Implementation and automation of the Outcome and Assessment Information Set for Medicare-certified home health agencies
• Implementation of the Health Care Financing Administration's data-driven certification process for nursing facilities
• Development and maintenance of sustainable rural health care services and networks in areas experiencing population loss
• Transition from the institutional, medically biased, long-term care delivery system to a more cost-effective residential/social model
• Implementation of requirements for origin-of-meat labeling
• Inspection and licensure of food establishments in assisted living facilities

The Health Resources Section can be reached at 701.328.2352.

Darleen Bartz, Ph.D. joined the North Dakota Department of Health, Division of Health Facilities, in 1989 and has been the section chief since July 1999. She earned master's degrees in nursing and management from the University of Mary and attained a post-graduate certificate as a family nurse practitioner from Clarkson College, Omaha, Neb. Darleen is a licensed advanced practice registered nurse in North Dakota, a nationally certified family nurse practitioner, and a registered environmental health specialist/registered sanitarian. She currently is the Region VIII representative on the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials Management Committee and is a member of the North Dakota Nurses Association and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. Before joining the state health department, Darleen worked as a manager and staff nurse in a variety of health care settings in North Dakota and Minnesota. She is a native of Crosby, N.D.

Phone: 701.328.2352
E-mail: bpritsch@nd.gov

The Division of Health Facilities works to ensure that people receive appropriate, acceptable services in a safe environment. This is done by evaluating the programs, services, staff, buildings and equipment of the inpatient care facilities and outpatient programs to ensure they meet state licensure and federal certification standards and provide services consistent with generally accepted practice. In addition the division's Office of Community Assistance administers state and federal programs designed to improve the supply and distribution of health care services, programs and personnel.

Division staff members conduct surveys to determine licensure and certification compliance. The division is also responsible for investigating complaints in all licensed and/or certified programs. Licensure and certification surveys are conducted by qualified surveyors who represent a wide range of professional disciplines including registered nurses, licensed registered dietitians, licensed social workers, certified laboratory technologists, qualified mental retardation professionals and fire safety surveyors.

Licensed and certified programs and facilities include 46 general acute hospitals, three specialized hospitals, 88 nursing facilities, 45 home health agencies and 15 hospice programs.

Certified-only facilities include 38 hospital swing bed programs, 75 rural health clinics, 66 intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded, 10 ambulatory surgical centers, 16 end-stage renal dialysis units, three portable x-ray units and 146 Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment laboratories.

Licensed-only programs and facilities include 42 basic care facilities, 22 electrologists and two electronic hair removal technicians.

Bruce Pritschet joined the Department of Health in 1989 as a clinical laboratory surveyor and became acting director of the Division of Health Facilities' Long Term Care and Clinical Laboratory programs in 1999. A native of rural Minot, N.D., Bruce earned a bachelor's degree in medical technology from Minot State University in 1977 and a master's degree in management from the University of Mary in 1999.

Phone: 701.328.1291
E-mail: kbulling@nd.gov

The Division of Food and Lodging is responsible for protecting public health through the licensing and inspection of restaurants, hotels, motels, bars, mobile home parks, campgrounds, bed and breakfast facilities, retail food stores, meat markets, bakeries, schools, child-care centers, tattoo parlors, and tanning facilities. The division also provides educational courses in safe food handling, reviews plans for new and extensively remodeled facilities, and assists in the investigation of foodborne outbreaks. In addition, the division serves as the Food and Drug Administration's liaison in the state on food-related issues.  

Kenan Bullinger joined state government in 1984 as a sanitarian for the Inspection Division of the State Laboratories Department. He worked in a number of positions in that agency before its consolidation with the North Dakota Department of Health in 1987. Kenan worked as assistant director of the laboratories branch and as director of the State Crime Lab from 1998 through 2003. Kenan is a board member and past president of the North Central Association of Food and Drug Officials and is also a member of the North Dakota Environmental Health Association. Originally from Mandan, N. D., he is a graduate of Bismarck State College and the University of North Dakota.

Phone: 701.328.4873
E-mail: mengel@nd.gov

The Division of Life Safety and Construction protects and safeguards the citizens of North Dakota by ensuring a safe environment for the elderly and disabled living in institutional settings.

Several types of health-care facilities are required to comply with specific construction and Life Safety Code (fire safety) requirements. Life Safety Code surveys are conducted by staff of the division in nursing facilities, hospitals, critical access hospitals, basic care facilities, ambulatory surgical centers, end stage renal dialysis units and intermediate care facilities for the intellectually disabled.

The division also is responsible for the review and approval of construction plans and specifications for licensed health-care facilities for compliance with licensing and construction standards. Construction inspections are then conducted to verify compliance with these standards. Additions, remodeling and installations in nursing facilities, hospitals, critical access hospitals and basic care facilities require review and approval.

Monte Engel began working as an environmental engineer for the North Dakota Department of Health, Division of Water Supply and Pollution Control, in 1978. In 1988, he transferred to the Division of Health Facilities as a health-care facilities engineer. In 1995, Monte became the program manager for the Life Safety Code Program, responsible for construction and Life Safety Code compliance in health-care facilities. He became the director of the Division of Life Safety & Construction in July 2009. A North Dakota native, Monte earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from North Dakota State University. Monte is also a registered professional engineer.

The purpose of the Community Health Section (CHS) is to support individuals, families and communities by providing quality programs that protect and enhance the health and safety of all North Dakotans.

To accomplish our mission, CHS staff:

• Advocate for healthy behaviors.
• Provide education, resources and services.
• Develop effective policies.
• Engage in statewide partnerships.

Divisions in this section include:

• Cancer Prevention and Control
• Chronic Disease
• Family Health
• Injury Prevention and Control
• Nutrition and Physical Activity

The Community Health Section can be reached at 701.328.2493.

Phone: 701.328.2306
E-mail: smormann@nd.gov

The mission of the Division of Cancer Prevention and Control is to improve the quality of life for North Dakota citizens by reducing illness and death from cancer.

Programs within the division include:

• Comprehensive Cancer Prevention and Control Program – Provides support for stakeholders and partners to implement the state cancer plan by increasing public and provider education and awareness of cancer issues from prevention to palliative care, facilitating cancer screening, and increasing resources to access cancer treatment.
• Women’s Way – Works to increase the availability, accessibility and quality of breast and cervical cancer screening services for North Dakota women ages 40 through 64 who are uninsured or underinsured. As the North Dakota Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, Women’s Way priorities include recruiting eligible women, providing breast and cervical cancer education, networking, and educating health-care providers.
• Cancer Registry – Serves as North Dakota’s statewide, population-based cancer information system for the collection, management and analysis of data on North Dakota residents diagnosed with cancer. The program uses data to evaluate patient outcomes statewide and nationally, calculate survival rates, provide information for cancer program activities, develop educational and screening programs, and evaluate treatment effectiveness while maintaining patient confidentiality.
• Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System – Serves as the primary surveillance system for self-reported health risk behaviors. Data are used to develop health policy, design and evaluate public health programs, monitor the health risks and health status of all residents, determine attitudes and beliefs about important health issues, and meet data needs for researchers.

Susan Mormann joined the North Dakota Department of Health in 2000 and served in various capacities in cardiovascular health, school health and tobacco prevention and control before becoming director of the Division of Cancer Prevention and Control in 2013. Susan was appointed to the Stroke System of Care Task Force in 2009 and served as the state health officer designee providing leadership and overall direction for the development and implementation of the statewide stroke system of care. A native of Jamestown, N.D., she graduated from the University of Dubuque with a degree in elementary and special education with a minor in music performance. Susan is a member of the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors and the North Dakota Public Health Association.

The Division of Chronic Disease works to improve the health and quality of life for North Dakotans who have chronic diseases by promoting healthy behaviors, supporting health-care improvement measures, developing community policies and practices, and increasing disease risk awareness.

Programs within the division include:

• Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention – Works to reduce disease, disability and death related to heart disease, stroke and related risk factors – high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, tobacco use, physical inactivity, poor nutrition, overweight/obesity and diabetes – through education, policy, systems and environmental changes.
• Tobacco Cessation – Provides support to North Dakotans who want to quit tobacco through cessation programs, as well as the North Dakota Tobacco Quitline and North Dakota Quitnet.
• Tobacco Disparities – Works to identify and eliminate tobacco-related disparities among specific populations with an increased burden of tobacco-related death and disease.
• Tobacco Prevention and Control – Provides grants, training and technical assistance to 12 local public health units, four American Indian tribes and one Indian service area to support infrastructure and build capacity for tobacco prevention and control efforts in communities.
• Tobacco Surveillance/Evaluation – Conducts surveys to measure a variety of factors related to tobacco use among adults and youth and to assess how these factors change over time.

Karalee Harper joined the North Dakota Department of Health in 2006 when she was named director of the Division of Tobacco Prevention and Control. In 2010, Karalee became director of the Division of Chronic Disease when the Tobacco and Chronic Disease divisions merged. She has worked in the field of addiction counseling for more than 10 years and has assisted people with disabilities in finding and/or maintaining employment. Originally from Tappen, N.D., Karalee graduated from the University of Mary with a bachelor’s degree in addiction counseling and a master’s degree in management. She is a licensed addiction counselor, a University of Mary Alumni Council member, and an executive member of the Tobacco Control Network. 

The Division of Injury Prevention and Control is dedicated to reducing injuries to North Dakotans through leadership, education, resources and policy.

 Programs within the division include:

• Child Passenger Safety Program – Promotes child passenger safety activities through educational campaigns, car seat distribution programs, car safety seat checkups and trainings.
• Injury/Violence Prevention Programs – Promotes the reduction and elimination of intentional and unintentional injuries using best practice strategies, including primary prevention theories, data collection and analysis, intervention design and development, training and technical assistance, policy advocacy and evaluation.
• Domestic Violence/Rape Crisis – Supports programs to develop effective law enforcement and prosecution strategies to combat domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking crimes and strengthen victim services and partners with stakeholders to develop and implement policies, provide training and technical assistance, and evaluate programs.
• Suicide Prevention – Collaborates with the North Dakota Suicide Prevention Coalition to implement programs on suicide prevention and early intervention to reduce the number of attempted and completed suicides.

Mary Dasovick joined the North Dakota Department of Health in 1994 as a nurse consultant. She became director of the Division of Injury Prevention and Control in 2003 and continues to manage the Domestic Violence/Rape Crisis Program. Previously, Mary worked as a public health, geriatric and forensic nurse. She graduated from the University of Mary with a bachelor's degree in nursing. Mary is a member of the North Dakota Nurses Association and the North Dakota Public Health Association.

The Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity mission is to support growth and development; prevent overweight and obesity; and prevent and control diabetes through programs designed to improve healthful eating and physical activity. Our vision is that all North Dakotans are physically active, eat healthy foods, and live in communities that support those behaviors.

Program within the Division include:

Healthy Communities Program - Assists partners in schools, worksites and other community settings build and support environments that make it easier for North Dakota residents to choose healthy foods and be physically active.

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) - Offers healthy food for proper growth and development and helps families choose healthier ways of eating. WIC is for eligible pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants, and children under 5 years and is available in all North Dakota counties.

Breastfeeding Promotion and Support - Breastfeeding is universally endorsed by the world’s health and scientific organizations as the best way of feeding infants and young children.  It is also recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a primary strategy to reduce childhood obesity. 

Maternal and Child Health Nutrition - Promotes nutritional wellbeing across the lifespan for women (preconception, prenatal, perinatal, breastfeeding and general wellbeing), infants, and children.

Diabetes Prevention and Control Program (DPCP) - supports diabetes prevention, early diagnosis and disease management by working with communities, health professionals and health systems in the areas of policy, disease management, quality improvement and education.

Healthy People 2020 - Healthy People 2020 provides science-based, 10-year national objectives for improving the health of all Americans.

Colleen Pearce joined the North Dakota Department of Health in 1978 and has worked as the program coordinator and director of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) since 1979. In 2003, she became the director of the Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity. Colleen earned a bachelor's degree in food and nutrition from North Dakota State University and a master's degree in public health from the University of Minnesota. A licensed nutritionist, Colleen is a member of the National WIC Association and served as the national president in 2001. She is originally from Bismarck, N.D.

Phone: 701.328.2372
E-mail: jbaird@nd.gov

Phone: 701.328.4814
E-mail: tgallupmillner@nd.gov

The Division of Children's Special Health Services (CSHS) provides services for children with special health-care needs and their families and promotes family-centered, community-based, coordinated services and systems of health care. Programs and services within the division include:

• Specialty Care Diagnostic and Treatment Program – CSHS helps families pay for medical services for eligible children, including health-care visits and tests to diagnose chronic health conditions early and specialty care needed for treatment.
• Multidisciplinary Clinics – CSHS funds and administers clinics that support coordinated management of 10 different types of chronic health conditions.  Clinics provide access to pediatric specialty care and enable families to see many different medical providers and health-care professionals in one place at one time.
• Care Coordination – CSHS supports community-based programs to help families who have children with special health-care needs access services and resources. Partners include county social services and local public health.
• Metabolic Food – CSHS provides medical food and low-protein modified food products to individuals with phenylketonuria and maple syrup urine disease.
• Russell-Silver Syndrome Program – CSHS pays for growth hormone treatment and medical food for individuals with Russell-Silver syndrome.
• Information Resource Center – CSHS provides health-care resource information to families and service providers.
• Data Systems – CSHS provides data about the population of children with special health-care needs and their families through the State Systems Development Initiative.
• Children with Special Health Care Needs Service System – CSHS supports initiatives that lead to a community-based system of services for all children, youth and families with special health-care needs.

Tamara Gallup-Millner joined state government in 1983 as an assistant clinical supervisor for the Crippled Children's Services Division of the North Dakota Department of Human Services and became unit director of Children's Special Health Services in 2001. In July 2007, the division moved from the Department of Human Services to the North Dakota Department of Health. Tammy obtained a bachelor's degree in nursing from Moorhead State University and a master's degree in public administration from the University of North Dakota. A licensed registered nurse, Tammy is a member of the North Dakota Nurses Association and the North Dakota Public Health Association. She represents the division on numerous committees and advisory boards. Tammy is a native of Bismarck, N.D.

Phone: 701.328.2439
E-mail: phahoward@nd.gov

The Office for the Elimination of Health Disparities works to address inequalities in health status, utilization or access due to structural, financial, personal or cultural barriers. Population categories affected include, but are not limited to, those identified by gender, gender identity, age, race or ethnicity, education or income, disability, geographic location, or sexual orientation. The office's goals are the following:

• To improve statewide and territory-wide planning, coordination, collaboration and linkages among public and private entities that address minority health and health disparities.
• To improve coordination and collaboration among state and territorial public health offices that benefit minority health and contribute to eliminating health disparities.
• To support planning and coordination, to promote and implement evidence-based approaches and programs that address priority minority health problems(s); to monitor and evaluate state and territorial efforts; and to disseminate information focused on improving minority health and eliminating health disparities.
• To establish or enhance multicultural partnerships to build efforts within communities to collaboratively address health issues that affect minority communities.

Phyllis Howard joined the North Dakota Department of Health in May 2008 as director of the Office for the Elimination of Health Disparities. She grew up on the Fort Berthold Reservation in western North Dakota, and is a Tribal enrolled member of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation. Phyllis earned a bachelor's degree from Minot State University, a certificate in higher education management from the Harvard University School of Education, and a master's degree in management from the University of Mary. Before joining the department, Phyllis taught at both the University of Mary and United Tribes Technical College and was one of the founders of Fort Berthold Community College, where she served as president for 17 years. Recently, she served as the executive director of the North Dakota Association of Tribal Colleges.

The Primary Care Office (PCO) provides help to rural North Dakota communities in creating a planning process that involves Department of Health programs, community leaders, other state agencies, health-care providers, state health associations and private consultants. This planning process is focused on the development of a sustainable and high quality local health care system. The PCO participates in assessment of community needs and resources; provides claims-based utilization and market share data, demographic data and analysis; and coordinates the provision of information concerning options for modifying or restructuring local health-care delivery systems to better serve the public.

Gary Garland has been the director of the North Dakota Primary Care Office since 1999. He has worked for the North Dakota state government for 40 years as of 2011 (35 with the Department of Health and five with the University of North Dakota.) Gary has a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in Sociology/Statistics from the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks.

Kirby Kruger
Medical Services Section
Section Chief

Phone: 701.328.4549
E-mail: kkruger@nd.gov

The Medical Services Section houses all of the medically related programs in the North Dakota Department of Health. The section includes the state medical officers, the divisions of Disease Control and Microbiology, the state epidemiologist and the state forensic examiner.

Kirby Kruger joined the North Dakota Department of Health in 1989 as an HIV educator and became the injury surveillance coordinator in 1990. In 1991, he was named program manager for the sexually transmitted disease and general communicable disease program. In 2000, he assumed duties as the Division of Disease Control's senior epidemiologist. He was named state epidemiologist and division director in 2005 and section chief of the Medical Services Section in 2010. A native of New Salem, N.D., Kruger earned a bachelor’s degree from North Dakota State University and Certificate of Public Health from Emory University.

Phone: 701.328.2372
E-mail: jbaird@nd.gov

John Baird, M.D., joined the North Dakota Department of Health as a state medical officer in 2002. Dr. Baird earned his medical degree from Washington University, St. Louis, Mo., in 1978. Currently, he also works as a family practice physician at the Family Healthcare Center in Fargo, N.D., and serves as an associate professor in family medicine for the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dr. Baird is originally from Dickinson, N.D.

Kirby Kruger
Division of Disease Control
Director

Phone: 701.328.4549
E-mail: kkruger@nd.gov

The Division of Disease Control identifies and analyzes disease trends and implements appropriate intervention activities to reduce morbidity and mortality. The division also acts as a resource for health care providers and the public regarding public health questions and issues. The division often works with the media to provide timely public education. Disease Control staff members also investigate foodborne illnesses, handle questions related to rabies and deal with other communicable disease issues.

Federally funded programs within the division include:

• Immunization - Ensures that children, adolescents and adults receive proper immunizations to protect against vaccine-preventable diseases; investigates cases of vaccine-preventable diseases; and initiates steps to prevent disease outbreaks. Also provides vaccines amounting to more than $1.7 million annually to public and private health care providers.
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases - Works to prevent and control the spread of sexually acquired infections through education, screening, clinical services, interviews, referral for medical treatment and partner notification.
• HIV/AIDS - Focuses on preventing the transmission of HIV through education and counseling activities, reducing the rates of HIV incidence and death, and assisting with access to medical care, prescription drugs and counseling services.
• Tuberculosis (TB) - Assists in identifying TB infection and disease, in preventing the spread of TB, in providing treatment for people with TB infection and disease, and in providing consultation and education for health care professionals and the public.

Kirby Kruger joined the North Dakota Department of Health in 1989 as an HIV educator and became the injury surveillance coordinator in 1990. In 1991, he was named program manager for the sexually transmitted disease and general communicable disease program. In 2000, he assumed duties as the Division of Disease Control's senior epidemiologist. He was named state epidemiologist and division director in 2005. A native of New Salem, N.D., Kruger earned a bachelors degree from North Dakota State University and Certificate of Public Health from Emory University.

Tracy K. Miller, MPH
State Epidemiologist

Phone: 701.328.2387
E-mail: tkmiller@nd.gov

The primary responsibilities of the state epidemiologist include coordinating epidemiological studies, investigations, and surveillance activities; conducting data analysis; and providing technical expertise and consultation with public and private health professionals. Additional responsibilities include collaborating with other state and federal health professionals to conduct disease surveillance, control, prevention and health intervention activities. The state epidemiologist also provides public health information to health care providers, community organizations and the media.

Tracy K. Miller, MPH joined the North Dakota Department of Health in 1998 as a field epidemiologist and became the West Nile virus and influenza surveillance coordinator in 2000. In 2001, she was named program manager for the epidemiology and surveillance program and in 2005 assumed duties as the Division of Disease Control's senior epidemiologist. She was named state epidemiologist in 2010. A native of Savage, Mont., Miller earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Mary, a Master’s of Public Health from the University of Minnesota and is currently pursuing a doctoral degree from Walden University.  

The role of the state forensic examiner is to provide medical examiner services to county coroners and law enforcement officials in the investigation of sudden and unexpected deaths in North Dakota. Once a case has been referred to the state forensic examiner, the body is brought to Bismarck, N.D. Services provided include autopsy or examination of the body, photographic documentation, toxicological analysis, collection of evidence, follow-up with investigating agencies and certification of the death certificate.

William Massello III, M.D., joined the North Dakota Department of Health as the state forensic examiner in 2007. Dr. Massello earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in 1972. His postdoctoral training includes a fellowship in forensic pathology at the Medical College of Virginia and a residency in anatomic and clinical pathology at Harbor UCLA Medical Center. Previously, Dr. Massello was the assistant chief medical examiner with the Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.  

Phone: 701.328.5150
E-mail: dglatt@nd.gov

The goal of the Environmental Health Section is to safeguard the quality of North Dakota's air, land and water resources. The section deals with issues that affect the comfort, health, safety and well-being of North Dakota citizens and their environment.

Primary functions and responsibilities include coordinating communications with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding state programs and related environmental issues, monitoring and enforcing compliance with state and federal environmental laws, and carrying out environmental chemistry analyses.

The Environmental Health Section's priorities include:

• Implementing strategies to address environmental impacts and problems associated with new developments
• Administering a state hazardous waste management program
• Administering a water quality management program for cleaning up targeted lakes and rivers
• Protecting groundwater and drinking water aquifers
• Controlling air, radiation, noise and solid waste pollution

The section consists of the following divisions:

• Water Quality
• Chemistry
• Waste Management
• Air Quality
• Municipal Facilities

L. David Glatt joined the North Dakota Department of Health in 1983 as an environmental engineer. In 1989, he became manager of the Ground Water Protection Program and became assistant director for the Division of Water Quality shortly thereafter. In May 2000, David was named director of the Division of Waste Management and in 2002, he was named section chief of the Environmental Health Section. David earned a bachelor's degree in biology and a master's degree in environmental engineering from North Dakota State University. He is a member of the North Dakota Board of Water Well Contractors and the National Ground Water Association. Born in Valley City, N.D., David was raised in Milpitas, Calif.

Dennis Fewless
Division of Water Quality Director

Phone: 701.328.5215
E-mail: dfewless@nd.gov

The federal Clean Water Act of 1972 was enacted to provide for water quality protection. But even before the federal act, North Dakota had its own law - the North Dakota Water Pollution Control Act of 1967. The North Dakota Department of Health is largely responsible for monitoring the quality of the state's lakes, streams and rivers. The Division of Water Quality helps to ensure that water stays clean for people today, as well as for future generations.

Programs in the division include:

• Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit Program - Issues wastewater discharge and storm water discharge/runoff permits.
• Surface Water Program - Monitors surface water quality across the state to assess water quality trends and to describe the general chemical character of the state's major river basins.
• Nonpoint Source Pollution Management Program - Provides financial support through the administration of federal grants to state or local groups which work to control nonpoint source pollution.
• Groundwater Program - Works to control potential sources of contamination to the state's groundwater.
• Wellhead Protection Program - Protects groundwater resources by addressing the link between land uses and groundwater quality.
• Underground Injection Control Program - Helps prevent contamination of underground sources of drinking water by injection wells such as domestic or industrial wastewater disposal wells.

Dennis Fewless joined the North Dakota Department of Health in 1975 and worked as a program supervisor and assistant director of the Water Supply and Pollution Control Division. In 1990 he was named director of the Division of Water Quality. Dennis earned a bachelor's degree in environmental health from Ferris State University, Big Rapids, Mich., and did coursework in environmental management at the University of Southern California. Currently, he is working on a master's degree in public administration from Montana State University. Dennis is co-chair of the North Dakota Nonpoint Source Task Force Committee, co-chair of the Souris River Bilateral Monitoring Group (U.S. and Canada) and a member of the board of directors of the Association of State and Interstate Water Pollution Control Agencies. Dennis is originally from Leroy, Mich.

Phone: 701.328.6119
E-mail: mkosse@nd.gov

Chemistry provides analytical services and laboratory certification to a variety of environmental protection, public health, and agricultural and petroleum regulatory programs. The North Dakota Department of Health's environmental protection programs use data generated by the chemistry laboratory to regulate air quality; solid and hazardous waste; municipal wastewater; agricultural runoff; surface, ground and drinking water quality; petroleum products; and other media of environmental and public health concerns.

Chemistry consists of one laboratory certification program and seven analytical laboratory areas that conduct specific analyses in response to private and public requests.

The analytical laboratory areas include:

• Biochemical Oxygen Demands Analytical Lab – Performs tests and provides analytical data to determine compliance of municipal and industrial wastewater discharges with permit requirements.
• Feed and Fertilizer Lab – Provides analytical data to the Department of Agriculture and tests agricultural feeds and fertilizers, pet foods, and lawn and garden fertilizers to determine compliance with regulations.
• Mineral Lab – Tests a variety of substances for minerals such as sodium, chloride and nitrates.
• Organic Lab – Provides identification and quantification of various substances, such as insecticides and herbicides, in multiple matrices; for example, drinking water, soil and fish tissue.
• Petroleum Lab – Tests the quality of petroleum products such as gasoline and diesel.
• Radiation Lab – Identifies and quantifies radioactive elements in samples collected from various sites, including abandoned uranium mines, indoor air quality monitors and public drinking water supply systems.
• Spectroscopy Lab – Identifies and quantifies metal concentrations in environmental matrices such as drinking water sources, river and lake sediments, and solid waste.

Microbiology

Microbiology provides diagnostic and referral services to physicians, veterinarians, clinics, hospitals, local public health units, other state agencies and the public in the areas of bacteriology, mycology, mycobacteriology, parasitology, immunology, virology, and dairy and water bacteriology. The laboratory also conducts testing for many exotic diseases and emerging infections that private hospitals and clinics do not have the resources to provide.

Myra J. Kosse began working as a chemist for the North Dakota State Laboratories Department in 1981 and joined the analytical staff of the North Dakota Crime Lab a few months later. After the State Laboratories Department and North Dakota Department of Health consolidated, she became the laboratory's lead analyst in 1989. Myra was named director of the Division of Chemistry in 1993. In 2005, Myra became the director of the Division of Laboratory Services when the chemistry and microbiology laboratories merged into one division. Originally from Beach, N.D., she earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry at North Dakota State University. 

Phone: 701.328.5166
E-mail: sradig@nd.gov

The Division of Waste Management administers several programs that safeguard the safety and environmental health of North Dakota's citizens. These programs are designed for generators of solid and hazardous waste and operators of underground storage tanks.

The division manages the following programs:

• Hazardous Waste Program - Regulates facilities that generate, store, treat, dispose of and transport hazardous waste. Works to ensure safe waste management so that hazardous waste in North Dakota doesn't adversely affect human health or the environment.
• Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB) Inspection Program - Conducts inspections at facilities known or suspected to have equipment containing PCBs.
• Solid Waste Program - Regulates the safe collection, transportation, storage and disposal of inert, industrial, special and municipal solid wastes. Promotes resource recovery and recycling systems.
• Abandoned Motor Vehicle Program - Provides for the collection of abandoned motor vehicles and other scrap metals to reduce health and safety hazards, improve the appearance of the landscape and recycle useful metals.
• Underground Storage Tank Program - Defines the types of tanks which may be installed, establishes technical standards for underground storage tanks, maintains a tank notification program, establishes financial responsibility requirements for tank owners and provides state inspection and enforcement.

Scott Radig began working as an environmental engineer for the North Dakota Department of Healths Division of Water Supply and Pollution Control in 1989. In 2000, he became the program manager for the Ground Water Protection Program, responsible for source water protection, underground injection control, ground water remediation, aquifer monitoring and emergency response. In September 2005, Scott became the director of the Division of Waste Management. Prior to joining the Department of Health, he worked as a petroleum engineer at the North Dakota Oil and Gas Division. A North Dakota native, Scott earned a bachelors degree in geological engineering from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

Terry O'Clair
Division of Air Quality
Director

Phone: 701.328.5188
E-mail: toclair@nd.gov

Responsibilities of the Division of Air Quality include air pollution control and radiation control. Staff members also provide technical assistance during emergency responses.

Programs in the division are:

• Air Pollution Control Program - Protects the state's air quality resources. Promotes clean air activities and controls major air pollution sources through permitting and compliance programs. Operates a statewide ambient monitoring network to assess and track North Dakota's air quality. Provides protection indoors through indoor air quality, radon and asbestos programs that emphasize both regulatory and public awareness efforts.
• Radiation Control Program - Monitors development and use of ionizing and nonionizing radiation sources to protect the health and safety of North Dakotans and the environment. Licenses radioactive material users; registers x-ray facilities and inspects them for compliance with the North Dakota Radiological Health Rules.

Terry O'Clair joined the North Dakota Department of Health in 1976 as an environmental engineer. In 1983, he became assistant director of the Division of Environmental Engineering and was named director of the Division of Air Quality in September 2001. Terry earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from North Dakota State University and is registered as a professional engineer. Currently, Terry serves on the board of the Western States Air Resources Council. A native of North Dakota, Terry grew up on a farm near the shores of Lake Darling northwest of Minot, N.D.

Wayne Kern
Division of Municipal Facilities
Director

Phone: 701.328.5222
E-mail: wkern@nd.gov

The Division of Municipal Facilities assists communities, industries and citizens of North Dakota in the areas of water supply/treatment and wastewater collection/treatment.  This is accomplished through regulatory and funding-assistance activities.  

The division's three programs are:

• Drinking Water Program - Works with more than 500 public water systems to ensure that drinking water meets all enforceable standards established under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). Also administers the state's fluoridation program and provides technical assistance to private water systems.
• Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund Program - Provides low-interest loans to fund conventional wastewater and non-point source pollution control needs.  Funded by 80 percent federal dollars and 20 percent state match generated through the sale of bonds.  Has loaned nearly $200 million for construction or upgrades of wastewater systems. Also reviews wastewater projects to ensure compliance with state design standards.
• Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund Program - Provides low-interest loans to fund infrastructure improvements needed to maintain SDWA compliance. Funded by 80 percent federal dollars and 20 percent state match generated through the sale of bonds.  Has loaned over $150 million for construction or upgrades of drinking water systems. Also provides technical assistance to public water systems and reviews drinking water projects to ensure compliance with state design standards.

Wayne Kern joined the North Dakota Department of Health in 1979 as an environmental engineer, working as a project engineer in the Construction Grants Program and managing the Drinking Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund Programs in the Division of Municipal Facilities.In 2002, Wayne was named Director of the Division of Waste Management Division, and in 2005, he became Director of the Division of Municipal Facilities.Originally from Montana, Wayne earned a bachelors degree in microbiology and a masters degree in civil engineering from Montana State University. Wayne also is a registered professional engineer.