
Terry Dwelle, M.D.
State Health Officer
Phone: 701.328.2372
E-mail: tdwelle@nd.gov
|
State Health Officer
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., 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. A Garrison, N.D. native, Dr. Dwelle has
worked with the University of North Dakota School of
Medicine, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and
the Indian Health Service. In addition, he practiced
pediatrics in Bismarck, N.D., for many years. Most recently,
Dr. Dwelle headed development of the Community Health
Evangelism 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
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Arvy Smith
Deputy State Health Officer
Phone: 701.328.3070
E-mail: asmith@nd.gov |
Deputy State Health Officer
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.
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Londa Rodahl
Administrative Assistant
Phone: 701.328.2372
E-mail: lrodahl@nd.gov
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Administrative Assistant
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.
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Melissa Olson
Healthy North Dakota Program
Director
Phone: 701.328.4908
E-mail: mjolson@nd.gov
|
Healthy North Dakota
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 . nutrition
- Healthy weight . 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.
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Kelly Nagel
Local Health Liaison
Phone: 701.328.2372
E-mail:
kjnagel@nd.gov
|
Local Health Liaison
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.
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Arvy Smith
Section Chief
Phone: 701.328.3070
E-mail: asmith@nd.gov |
Administrative Support Section 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.
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Kathy Albin
Division of Accounting Director
Phone: 701.328.2392
E-mail: kalbin@nd.gov
|
Accounting
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.
Kathy Albin graduated from North Dakota State University in 1976 and began working as an
accountant for the North Dakota Department of Health the same year. In 1983 she was promoted to
director of the Division of Accounting. Kathy is a native of Mandan, N.D.
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Kerry Olson
Human Resources
Phone: 701.328.3321
E-mail: kolson@nd.gov
|
Human Resources
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.
Kerry Olson began working in state government in 1979 with the Department of
Transportation. Before joining the North Dakota Department of Health in 2002, he worked for the
state's Central Personnel Division and the Department of Human Services. Originally from Devils
Lake, N.D., Kerry received a bachelor's degree from the University of North Dakota and a master's
degree from North Dakota State University.
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Loreeta Canton
Public Information Specialist
Phone: 701.328.1665
E-mail: lcanton@nd.gov
|
Public Information
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.
Loreeta Canton joined the North Dakota
Department of Health in September 1998. A graduate of Minot
State University, Loreeta taught English in public schools
for 11 years. Most recently, she was a college
communications instructor. Loreeta is a past president of
the National Public Health Information Coalition and serves
on its executive board. She is a native of Alexander, N.D.
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Darin Meschke
Division of Vital Records
Director
Phone: 701.328.2494
E-mail:
dmeschke@nd.gov
|
Vital Records
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
|
Information Technology
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
|
Education Technology
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.
|

Tim Wiedrich
Emergency Preparedness & Response
Section Chief
Phone: 701.328.2270
E-mail:
twiedric@nd.gov
|
Emergency Preparedness
and Response Section 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.
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Emergency Medical Services and Trauma
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 and 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.
|

Darleen Bartz
Health Resources Section
Section Chief
Phone: 701.328.2352
E-mail: dbartz@nd.gov
|
Health Resources
Section The Health Resources Section consists of three divisions: Health Facilities, Emergency Medical
Services, and Food and Lodging.
The section is responsible for licensing hospitals, nursing homes, basic care facilities, home
health agencies, ambulance services, 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. In addition, the section coordinates
training and provides testing and certification of emergency medical technicians. 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;
the Emergency Medical Services Training grant; 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
- Recruitment and retention of rural health
professionals
- 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 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.
|

Bruce Pritschet
Long Term Care and CLIA Program Director
Phone: 701.328.2352
E-mail:
bpritsch@nd.gov
|
Health Facilities
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.
|

Kenan Bullinger
Food and Lodging Division
Director
Phone number: 701.328.1291
E-mail:
kbulling@nd.gov
|
Food and Lodging
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.
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Community Health
Section The Community Health Section
supports families and communities working to improve the
health and safety of North Dakotans by providing education
and services, advocating healthy behaviors, assuring quality
programs, developing policies, and engaging in statewide
partnerships.
The section is responsible for coordination of public health education and intervention
activities, including wellness promotion and health-risk reduction, promotion of optimal nutrition,
reduction of tobacco use, injury prevention and improvements in dental health. Many of the services
are provided through local public health units.
Divisions in this section include:
- Cancer Prevention and Control
- Chronic Disease
- Family Health
- Injury Prevention and Control
- Nutrition and Physical Activity
- Tobacco Prevention and Control
The Community Health Section can be reached at 701.328.2493.
|
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Mary Ann Foss
Division of Cancer Prevention and Control
Director
Phone: 701.328.2472
E-mail: mfoss@nd.gov
|
Cancer Prevention and Control
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 and services within the division include:
- Comprehensive Cancer Control Planning . Works with stakeholders and partners to develop a
common vision for comprehensive cancer control, to create a coordinated statewide cancer control
plan and to assemble available resources to carry out the plan.
- Women's Way . Works to reduce mortality from breast and cervical cancer by increasing
education and screening among low-income, underserved, high-risk and minority women.
- Cancer Registry - Collects data about cancer incidence, survival and death to assist in the
development of cancer education and screening programs.
Mary Ann Foss joined the North Dakota Department
of Health in 1995 as the Women's Way nurse consultant and
became the Womens Way state coordinator in 2004. In 2005,
she was named director of the Division of Cancer Prevention
and Control. Before joining the department, she worked at
Medcenter One Health Systems, Bismarck, N.D., as an
emergency room nurse and at West River Regional Medical
Center, Hettinger, N.D., as a registered nurse in emergency
room, intensive care and medical surgical areas. A native of
Mott, N.D., Mary Ann has six children and ten
grandchildren.
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Sherri Paxon
Division of Chronic Disease
Director
Phone: 701.328.2698
E-mail: spaxon@nd.gov |
Chronic Disease
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:
-
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.
-
Diabetes Prevention and Control. 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. Collaborates with other disease programs
and statewide partners to develop and coordinate joint efforts.
-
Healthy People 2010. Tracks program-specific indicators, evaluations and
trends for department programs and Healthy North Dakota. Healthy People 2010
is a set of national health objectives covering 28 focus areas and 467
objectives used to compare state and national values, which aids in
developing programs to improve health.
-
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.
-
State Asthma Work Group. Works to improve the health of people who have
asthma. Though no funding exists to support an asthma program,
representatives from public, private and tribal entities have met since May
2000, focusing on data, education, treatment and collaboration.
Sherri Paxon joined the North Dakota Department of Health in 2000
as coordinator of the Diabetes Prevention and Control Program and was named
director of the Division of Chronic Disease in 2003. Sherri serves on the
Community Health Section Leadership Team and is the North Dakota Chronic Disease
Director for the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors. With a
strong interest in health equity, Sherri was instrumental in establishing the
department’s Office for the Elimination of Health Disparities in 2007 and served
as interim director. Previously, Sherri worked in the field of immunohematology
at St. Alexius Medical Center and United Blood Services, both located in
Bismarck, N.D.
Sherri taught immunohematology and coagulation as a clinical instructor for the
UND School
of Medicine and Health Sciences and
Northwest
Technical
College. In 1993, Sherri earned a bachelor's degree
in medical technology from the University of Mary,
Bismarck, N.D.,
and earned a master’s of public health degree from Walden University
in 2008. She is a member of the North Dakota Public Health Association and a
licensed clinical laboratory scientist. Sherri is originally from La Plata, Mo.
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Kim Senn
Division of Family Health
Director
Phone: 701.328.4528
E-mail: ksenn@nd.gov |
Family Health
The Division of Family Health administers state and federal programs designed to improve the
health of North Dakota families. The division provides funding, technical assistance, training,
needs assessments, educational materials and other resources to local public health units and other
public and private entities that offer health services in North Dakota communities.
Programs and services administered by the division
include:
- Coordinated School Health Program - Provides
consultation and technical assistance for
schools and school nurses to use in organizing and
managing school health and wellness initiatives.
Provides support and coordination for the annual CSH
Roughrider Health Promotion Conference.
- Cribs for Kids Program - Provides infant
safe-sleep education and portable cribs to pregnant
women enrolled in the Optimal Pregnancy Outcome Program
(OPOP).
- Coordinated Early Childhood Comprehensive
Systems (ECCS) Program – Supports collaborations and
partnerships that support families and communities in
their development of children who are healthy and ready
to learn at school entry.
- Donated Dental Services - Provides grant
oversight to services that provide essential dental care
for disabled, elderly and medically compromised
individuals who cannot afford care.
- Family Planning Program - Provides reproductive
health-care services to men and women, giving preference
to low income, adolescents and women-in-need
populations. Services include Pap smear, breast
exam, infertility level-one services, pregnancy
planning, education and counseling about STDs and HIV,
and a broad range of birth control methods
including abstinence.
- Fetal Alcohol Syndrome - Provides grant oversight to
the University of North Dakota’s Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Center for program activities.
- Newborn Screening Program - Identifies infants at
risk and in need of more definitive testing to diagnose
and treat affected newborns. Serves as the North
Dakota/Iowa regional follow-up coordinator focusing on
quality assurance and education.
- Optimal Pregnancy Outcome Program (OPOP) . Provides
nursing, social and nutritional services to pregnant
women.
- Oral Health Program . Provides prevention education,
screening and consultation and administers school
fluoride programs.
- Ronald McDonald Care Mobile - Provides grant
oversight to plan a mobile dental- care service to
provide dental treatment, prevention and education
services to low income and underserved
children in the state with limited or unavailable dental
services.
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Program (SIDS) .
Provides support, education and follow-up to those
affected by a sudden infant death.
- Title V Maternal and Child Health - Provides
consultation, technical assistance and comprehensive
services to improve the health, safety and well-being of
mothers and children.
- Women's Health Services . Collaborates with
programs, public and private, that provide and/or
advocate for women’s health. Provides national,
state and local women’s health information across the
state.
Kim Senn joined the North Dakota
Department of Health in 2000 as a nurse consultant and
became director of the Division of Family Health in 2003.
Before joining the department, she was the clinical care
coordinator and system educator at the Children's Hospital
of Medcenter One Health Systems in Bismarck, N.D. Kim earned
a bachelor's degree in nursing from Medcenter One College of
Nursing in Bismarck, N.D., and is a member of the
Association of State and Territorial Directors of Nursing,
Epsilon Sigma Kappa Rho Honor Society, and the North Dakota
Public Health Association. In 2003, Kim received the 2003
North Dakota Public Health Worker of the Year award. Kim is
also a certified CPR, AED, and First Aid Instructor.
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Mary Dasovick
Division of Injury Prevention and Control
Director
Phone: 701.328.3340
E-mail: mdasovic@nd.gov |
Injury Prevention and Control
The Division of Injury Prevention and Control is dedicated to reducing the frequency and
severity of intentional and unintentional injuries to North Dakotans. To accomplish this we are
committed to partnering with others on injury prevention and intervention initiatives and data
resources.
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.
|

Colleen Pearce
Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity
Director
Phone: 701.328.4531
E-mail: cpearce@nd.gov |
Nutrition and Physical Activity
The Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity promotes healthy eating and physical activity in
order to prevent and reduce overweight, obesity and related chronic diseases in North Dakota. The
division accomplishes its mission through education, policy development, advocacy, partnerships,
technical assistance and special programs and initiatives. Programs within the division
include:
- Maternal and Child Health Nutrition . Provides consultation and technical assistance;
monitors nutrition data; plans and evaluates nutrition programs; coordinates nutrition-related
activities; and acts as a clearinghouse for nutrition information and training.
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) . Provides
healthy food for proper growth and development, education about choosing healthier ways of eating
and referrals to other needed services. WIC serves eligible pregnant, breastfeeding and
postpartum women; infants; and children younger than 5 and is available in all counties in North
Dakota.
- The Healthy Weight/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. The coordinator
acts as a resource for many Department of Health
programs and provides training, technical assistance and
funding with the goal of achieving healthier
communities.
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.
|

Karalee Harper
Division of Tobacco Prevention and Control
Director
Phone: 701.328.4517
E-mail: kaharper@nd.gov |
Tobacco Prevention and Control
The Division of Tobacco Prevention and Control works to improve the health of North Dakotans and
reduce the economic consequences of tobacco use in the state by (1) preventing initiation among
youth, (2) promoting quitting among youth and adults, (3) eliminating exposure of nonsmokers to
secondhand smoke and (4) identifying and eliminating disparities in tobacco use among specific
populations. The division administers the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Tobacco Use
Prevention Cooperative Agreement and the North Dakota Community Health Grant Program, which provide
funding for tobacco prevention and cessation efforts in schools and communities in the state's 28
local public health units and reservation areas.
Karalee Harper joined the North Dakota Department
of Health in 2006 when she was named director of the
Division of Tobacco Prevention and Control. She began
working in the field of addiction counseling in 1999; most
recently, she assisted people with disabilities in finding
and/or maintaining employment. Originally from Tappen, N.D.,
Karalee graduated from the University of Mary with a
bachelors degree in addiction counseling and a masters
degree in management. She is a licensed addiction counselor
and a member of the Association for Addiction Professionals.
|
|

John Baird, M.D.
Section Chief
Phone: 701.328.2372
E-mail: jbaird@nd.gov
|
Special Populations Section
The Special Populations Section was established in 2007 to
address health issues related to people with special
health-care needs and health disparities in North Dakota.
The Special Populations Section includes the Division of
Children's Special Health Services and the Office for the
Elimination of Health Disparities.
John Baird, M.D., joined the North Dakota
Department of Health as a state medical officer in 2002 and
became chief of the Special Populations Section in 2007. Dr.
Baird earned his medical degree from Washington University,
St. Louis, Mo., in 1978 and was trained as a family
physician in Fargo, N.D. Currently, he also serves as
health officer for Fargo Cass Public Health, Cass County
coroner, and an associate professor in family
medicine for the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
Dr. Baird is originally from Dickinson, N.D.
|
|

Tamara Gallup-Millner
Division of Children's Special Health Services
Director
Phone: 701.328.4814
E-mail:
tgallupmillner@nd.gov
|
Division of Children's
Special Health Services
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.
|
|
Phyllis Howard
Office for the Elimination of Health Disparities
Director
Phone: 701.328.2439
E-mail:
phahoward@nd.gov
|
Office for the Elimination
of Health Disparities
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.
|
|
|
Medical Services SectionWeb Site 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.
|
|

John Baird, M.D.
Field Medical Officer
Phone: 701.328.2372
E-mail: jbaird@nd.gov
|
Field Medical
Officers
The field medical officers provide medical consultation and direction to programs throughout the
North Dakota Department of Health. Areas of emphasis include the health aspects of environmental
pollution, newborn metabolic screening, communicable disease control, immunizations, infant
mortality, adolescent suicide, cancer cluster investigations and the Children's Health Insurance
Program.
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
|
Disease Control
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.
|

Myra Kosse
Division of Microbiology
Acting Director
Phone: 701.328.6119
E-mail: mkosse@nd.gov
|
Microbiology
The Division of 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 Chemistry Division
in 1993. Originally from Beach, N.D., she received a bachelor's degree in chemistry from North
Dakota State University.
|

Kirby Kruger
State Epidemiologist
Phone: 701.328.4549
E-mail: kkruger@nd.gov
|
State Epidemiologist
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.
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.
|
|

William Massello III, M.D.
State Forensic Examiner
Phone: 701.328.6138
E-mail: wmassello@nd.gov
|
State Forensic Examiner
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.
|

Dave Glatt
Environmental Health
Section Chief
Phone: 701.328.5152
E-mail: dglatt@nd.gov
|
Environmental Health
Section 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
|
Water Quality
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.
|

Myra Kosse
Division of Chemistry Director
Phone: 701.328.6119
E-mail: mkosse@nd.gov
|
Chemistry
The Division of 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.
The division 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.
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 Chemistry Division
in 1993. Originally from Beach, N.D., she received a bachelor's degree in chemistry from North
Dakota State University.
|

Scott Radig
Division of Waste Management
DirectorPhone: 701.328.5166
E-mail:
sradig@nd.gov |
Waste Management
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
|
Air Quality
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
|
Municipal Facilities
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.
|
North Dakota's public health system is made up of 28 single- and multi-county local public health
units (LPHUs).
Services offered by each public health unit vary, but all health units provide services in the areas
of maternal and child health, health promotion and education, and disease prevention and control. Some
local public health units maintain environmental health programs; others partner with the North Dakota
Department of Health to provide environmental services such as public water system inspections, nuisance
and hazard abatement, and food service inspections.
Local public health activities are financed by a combination of mill levy funding and/or city or
county general funds, state aid and federal funding.
|
Health Unit
|
Administrator
|
Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health
Bismarck, N.D.
(Burleigh County) |
Paula Flanders, RN
701.222.6525
pflander@nd.gov |
Cavalier County Health District
Langdon, N.D.
(Cavalier County) |
Terri Gustafson, RN
701.256.2402
tgustafs@nd.gov |
Central Valley Health Unit
Jamestown, N.D.
(Logan and Stutsman counties) |
Robin Iszler, RN
701.252.8130
riszler@nd.gov |
City-County Health Department
Valley City, N.D.
(Barnes County) |
Theresa Will
701.845.8518
twill@co.barnes.nd.us |
Custer Health
Mandan, N.D.
(Grant, Mercer, Morton, Oliver and Sioux counties) |
Keith Johnson
701.667.3370
keith.johnson@custerhealth.com |
Dickey County Health District Ellendale, N.D.
(Dickey County) |
Roxanne Holm
701.349.4348
rholm@nd.gov |
Emmons County Public Health
Linton, N.D.
(Emmons County) |
Bev Voller, RN
701.254.4027
bvoller@nd.gov |
Fargo Cass Public Health
Fargo, N.D.
(Cass County) |
Ruth Bachmeier
701.241.1360
RBachmeier@cityoffargo.com |
First District Health Unit
Minot, N.D.
(Bottineau, Burke, McHenry, McLean, Renville, Sheridan and Ward counties) |
Lisa Clute
701.852.1376
lclute@nd.gov |
Foster County Health Department
Carrington, N.D.
(Foster County) |
Lisa Solwey
701.652.3087
lsolwey@nd.gov |
Grand Forks Public Health Department
Grand Forks, N.D.
(Grand Forks County) |
Don Shields, CHE
701.787.8100
dshields@grandforksgov.com |
Kidder County District Health Unit
Steele, N.D.
(Kidder County) |
Janel Brosseau, RN, DOH
701.475.2582
kabrosseau@nd.gov |
Lake Region District Health Unit
Devils Lake, N.D.
(Benson, Eddy, Pierce and Ramsey counties) |
Karen Halle, RN
701.662.7035
khalle@nd.gov |
LaMoure County Public Health Department LaMoure, N.D.
(LaMoure County) |
Tony Hanson
701.883.5356
tchanson@bhshealth.org |
McIntosh District Health Unit
Ashley, N.D.
(McIntosh County) |
Cathy Brendel
701.288.3957
cabrendel@nd.gov |
Nelson/Griggs District Health Unit
McVille, N.D.
(Griggs and Nelson counties) |
Julie Ferry, RN
701.322.5624
julieferry@stellarnet.com |
Pembina County Health Department
Cavalier, N.D.
(Pembina County) |
Jeanne Chaput, Administrator
701.265.4248
jchaput@nd.gov |
Ransom County Public Health Department
Lisbon, N.D.
(Ransom County) |
Deb Bergstrom, RN
701.683.5823
dkbergstr@nd.gov |
Richland County Health Department
Wahpeton, N.D.
(Richland County) |
Debra Flack
701.642.7735
dflack@nd.gov
|
Rolette County Public Health District
Rolla, N.D.
(Rolette County) |
Barb Frydenlund, RN
701.477.5646
bfrydenlund@nd.gov |
Sargent County District Health Unit
Forman, N.D.
(Sargent County) |
Colleen Sundquist
701.724.6241
csundqui@nd.gov |
Southwestern District Health Unit
Dickinson, N.D.
(Adams, Billings, Bowman, Dunn, Golden Valley, Hettinger, Slope and Stark counties) |
Sherry Adams
701.483.0171
sladams@nd.gov |
Steele County Public Health Department
Finley, N.D.
(Steele County) |
Diane Jacobson, RN
701.524.2060
dajacobs@nd.gov |
Towner County Public Health District
Cando, N.D.
(Towner County) |
Dana Kitsch
701.968.2550
diitsch@nd.gov |
Traill District Health Unit
Hillsboro, N.D.
(Traill County) |
Brenda Stallman, RN
701.636.4434
bstallma@nd.gov |
Upper Missouri District Health Unit
Williston, N.D.
(Divide, McKenzie, Mountrail and Williams counties) |
Kara Todd-Iwen
701.774.6400
kiwen@umdhu.org |
Walsh County Health Department
Grafton, N.D.
(Walsh County) |
Wanda Kratochvil, RN
701.352.5139
wkratoch@nd.gov |
Wells County District Health Unit
Fessenden, N.D.
(Wells County) |
Karen Volk, RN
701.547.3756
kmvolk@yahoo.com |
Health-Related Websites
The Internet contains a wealth of information about health-related issues, all accessible with just
the click of a mouse. A sampling of the information available on the World Wide Web follows:
American Academy of Pediatrics: http://www.aap.org
American Lung Association: http://www.lungusa.org
American Public Health Association: http://www.apha.org
American Water Works Association: http://www.awwa.org
Association of State and Territorial Health Officials: http://www.astho.org
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): http://www.cdc.gov
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (formally HCFA): http://cms.hhs.gov
Environmental Protection Agency: http://www.epa.gov
Food and Drug Association: http://www.fda.gov
Health Information A to Z: http://www.cdc.gov/health/diseases.htm
Links to U.S. State Health Agencies: http://www.ehdp.com/vitalnet/shas.htm
National Center for Environmental Health: http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/
New England Journal of Medicine: http://content.nejm.org
North Dakota Department of Health: http://www.health.state.nd.us
Office of American Public Health Service: http://phs.os.dhhs.gov
United States Department of Health and Human Services: http://www.os.dhhs.gov
United States National Library of Medicine (Medline): http://www.nlm.nih.gov
Western States Water Council: http://www.westgov.org/wswc
Emergency Medical Policy
Facility Management has issued the following policy in the event of any medical situation at the
Capitol Complex:
The first person on the scene of a medical emergency should call 9.911.
The person experiencing the medical emergency has the right to refuse ambulance services; he or she
will not be charged for that service.
Facility Management will be on hand to assist in any way possible. After-hours security personnel will
be wearing a pager that is activated by dispatch (to provide after-hour access to buildings on the
complex). This pager will be transferred to each night security person in the Capitol after closing at 6
p.m. weekdays and all day on weekends and holidays.
A
Albin, Kathy
Accounting Division Director
701.328.2392
E-mail: kalbin@nd.gov
B
John Baird, M.D.
Field Medical Officer
701.328.2372
E-mail: jbaird@nd.gov
Bartz, Darleen
Health Resources Section Chief
701.328.2352
E-mail: dbartz@nd.gov
Bullinger, Kenan
Food and Lodging Division Director
701.328.1291
E-mail: kbulling@nd.gov C
Canton, Loreeta Leer
Public Information Specialist
701.328.1665
E-mail: lcanton@nd.gov
D
Dasovick, Mary
Injury Prevention and Control Division Director
701.328.3340
E-mail: mdasovic@nd.gov
Dwelle, Terry, M.D.
State Health Officer
701.328.2378
E-mail: tdwelle@nd.gov
F
Fewless, Dennis
Water Quality Division Director
701.328.5215
E-mail: dfewless@nd.gov
Foss, Mary Ann
Cancer Prevention and Control Division Director
701.328.2472
E-mail: mfoss@nd.gov
G
Glatt, L. David
Environmental Health Section Chief
701.328.5217
E-mail: dglatt@nd.gov
H
Harper, Karalee
Tobacco Prevention and Control Division Director
701.328.4517
E-mail: kaharper@nd.gov
K
Kern, Wayne
Municipal Facilities Division Director
701.328.5222
E-mail: wkern@nd.gov
Kosse, Myra J.
Chemistry Division Director
Microbiology Division Acting Director
701.328.6119
E-mail: mkosse@nd.gov
Kruger, Kirby
Disease Control Division Director
State Epidemiologist
701.328.4549
E-mail: kkruger@nd.gov
M
William Massello III,
M.D.
State Forensic Examiner
701.328.6138
E-mail:
wmassello@nd.gov
Meschke, Darin
Information Technology Coordinator
Vital Records Division Director
701.328.2494
E-mail: dmeschke@nd.gov
N
Nagel, Kelly
Local Health Liaison
701.328.2372
E-mail: kjnagel@nd.gov
O
O'Clair, Terry L.
Air Quality Division Director
701.328.5188
E-mail: toclair@nd.gov
Olson, Kerry
Human Resources
701.328.3321
E-mail: kolson@nd.gov
Olson, Melissa
Healthy North Dakota Director
701.328.4908
E-mail: mjolson@nd.gov
P
Paxon, Sherri
Chronic Disease Division Director
701.328.2698
E-mail: spaxon@nd.gov
Pearce, Colleen
Nutrition and Physical Activity Division Director
701.328.4531
E-mail: cpearce@nd.gov
Pritshet, Bruce
Long Term Care and Clinical Laboratory Programs Acting Director
701.328.2352
E-mail: bpritsch@nd.gov
R
Scott Radig
Waste Management Division Director
701.328.5166
E-mail:
sradig@nd.gov
Rodahl, Londa
Office of State Health Officer
Administrative Assistant
701.328.2372
E-mail: lrodahl@nd.gov
S
Senn, Kim
Family Health Division Director
701.328.4528
E-mail: ksenn@nd.gov
Smith, Arvy
Deputy State Health Officer
Administrative Support Section Chief
701.328.3070
E-mail: asmith@nd.gov
W
Wiedrich, Tim
Emergency Preparedness & Response Section Chief; Education Technology Division Director
701.328.2270
E-mail: twiedric@nd.gov
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