Avon Lake appoints 3 to health services advisory commission

Avon Lake City Council approved motions to appoint three members to the newly formed Avon Lake Health Services Advisory Commission, on June 26.

Avon Lake Council President Martin O’Donnell along with registered nurses Judith Bird and Joanne Duffy were formally appointed to the commission formed to provide oversight for the city’s membership in the Lorain County General Health District.

The commission will consist of five members and will provide oversight for the services received through Avon Lake’s membership in the health district.

O’Donnell was appointed as city council’s sole representative on the commission which will also include Avon Lake Mayor Gregory Zilka and three Avon Lake residents.

O’Donnell was appointed with the unanimous support of council and gave his thanks following the motion.

“I appreciate council’s support,” he said.

Ward I Councilman and public service committee chair Rob James said both Bird and Duffy are registered nurses who came highly recommended with longstanding experience in hospitals and the Lorain City Health District, and can provide the commission with valuable experience.

The commission has one open position remaining to be filled by an Avon Lake resident.

After formally joining the health district on Jan. 1, James said the commission was designed to evaluate the services it receives from city and wanted a framework to evaluate the cost effectiveness and quality of the services it will be receiving.

The health district provides a number of services pertaining to public health ranging from environmental health protection, maternal health and chronic disease prevention.

The commission will report to Zilka to provide feedback and evaluation of the health district’s programs and services for their quality and effectiveness.