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New Home: Washington County Health Department celebrates with ribbon cutting, open house

By Michelle Dillon 4 min read

A small crowd gathered in the rain outside the former WASCO building on Muskingum Drive Monday to celebrate the new home of the Washington County Health Department.

The department moved into the building Nov. 12, according to Washington County Health Department Administrative Director Sherry Ellem, but on Monday, county commissioners, Marietta city officials, health department administrators, Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce staff and more participated in a ribbon cutting for the former WASCO building at 340 Muskingum Drive. An open house was also held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The cost of construction for the new buildout was about $750,000 according to Washington County Fiscal Manager Ben Cowdery. The county had $150,000 in grant funding to help pay for it.

"We'd like to congratulate you guys on the successful move," Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce President Kelsy Eaton said. "… It's beautiful, well-renovated. I'm sure it will be a great home for the department for many years."

Allie New, a staff assistant for Congressman Michael Rulli, presented the department with a certificate on behalf of Rulli in recognition of and congratulating them on their new location.

"We are so excited to see all the great things that you guys will do in this building and you guys are just so impactful to the community," she said.

Brynn Stepp, manager of regional affairs and Southeast Ohio regional liaison for Lt. Gov. John Husted, presented the health department with a proclamation on behalf of Gov. Mike DeWine and Husted.

"I hear that it's been several years in the making and I know that can be very trying and it takes a lot of patience and hard work ... We appreciate all that you're doing," she said.

Washington County Commissioners James Booth and Charlie Schilling called the day a milestone for the county.

"This was a building that was vacant and now it has real purpose. It has new life ... We look for a lot of great things," Booth said.

"The collaboration that went into this was excellent," Schilling said.

Marietta Mayor Joshua Schlicher congratulated the county on the facility.

"We're excited that Washington County has a new facility here, much different than what they've used in the past," he said. "It's basically a one-floor building that's open for the public and easily accessible."

Ellem thanked everyone in attendance for their work on the project.

"As I look out at each of you today, I mean you have been trusted public health partners and that's what public health is all about," Ellem said. "It's not about any one of us, but it's all of us together making us stronger. So a sincere thank you for making this happen ... this building is yours. It's here to serve you."

Ellem said she felt humbled after the ribbon cutting.

"I came to Washington County for education for my daughter and stayed here because people really work together and make it a better place to live," she said.

Ellem said when they moved in Nov. 12 they didn't have to shut down any services and the departments all made it happen.

There are a lot of health features in the new building, according to Ellem, including touchless fountains and purple lights that kill bacteria and germs in most of the public spaces in the building.

"Another thing we worked on ... having a changing station for children has become very common," Ellem said. "We didn't have it (in) our old building but we do in this one, but" it can also be used for adults with disabilities.

Another feature she's proud of is the wellness lactation rooms for mothers who may need it when they are at the health department.

There are also meeting rooms, training rooms and even a kitchen that people can reserve to use.

Ellem said people that have come to the department since they moved are "super excited."

"For anybody who saw the old facility, it's unfortunate the maintenance was not kept up. It was falling down around us and really was an unsafe environment. To have this to be able to serve the public is an honor," she said.

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