Greene County public health commissioner named to Leadership Ohio class of 2019

GREENE CO. — Melissa Howell, Health Commissioner for Greene County Public Health, is one of the newest class members for Leadership Ohio.

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Howell, along with 22 other leaders from seven Ohio cities will spend the next eight month examining challenges, assets, and forging new ground to create a more prosperous Ohio.

The leaders will examine artificial intelligence through the lens of smart mobility and economics, and the role of innovation and the arts in restoring citizenship.

In past cohorts, Leaders have gone on to assume elected office, launch new initiatives and organizations, champion vital issues and serve on key boards and commissions.

This year’s class of leaders hail from both public and private institutions, nearly one third are minorities, and more than half are women. Leadership Ohio comprises scholars, intellectual leaders, activists and influencers from some of Ohio’s leading organizations.

Howell, who has been the Health Commissioner for Greene County since 2013, has over 25 years of combined experience in nursing, leadership, business, and public health. She directs over 60 full time public health professionals in daily operations, creates vision, and oversees the implementation of the strategies used to improve community health.

For the past five years Howell has been working to modernize public health services, established a Federally Qualified Healthcare Center, accomplished national Public Health Accreditation and oversaw the construction of a $7.8 million-dollar new facility.

She is the 2015 recipient of the Distinguished Service Award for Health Commissioners in Ohio, she serves as Treasurer for the Association of Ohio Health Commissioners, and her most recent publication is Succession Planning for Public Health: Cost, Continuity and Compliance.

Leadership Ohio serves to fuel leaders’ inspiration and opportunities to connect with their unique abilities and with each other to address our greatest challenges-- and build new opportunities in their wake.

Leaders will begin their journey April 26-27 in Marysville.