Press Room

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 23, 2005

For additional information contact:
Amy Morris, Community Relations Coordinator
616.632.7110

Kent County Health Department Employee Named to Governor Granholm’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention and Control Commission

(Grand Rapids, MI) - - Joan Dyer, Community Nursing Program Supervisor at the Kent County Health Department, has been named to Governor Granholm’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention and Control Commission.

Governor Granholm’s Office on Appointments selected Dyer from four candidates recommended by the community collaborative, Get the Lead Out! Dyer has been an active participant with Get the Lead Out! since 2002.

“We are extremely pleased with Joan’s appointment to the Governor’s Commission. Not only will she represent the best interests of the residents of Kent County but she will provide the commission with a wealth of knowledge on this important issue,” said Cathy Raevsky, Kent County Health Department’s Administrative Health Officer.

Governor Granholm signed a package of laws in December 2004 that established the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention and Control Commission. Dyer’s appointment is subject to Article V, Section 6 of the Michigan State Constitution of 1963. The appointments stand confirmed unless disapproved by the Senate within 60 days.

Dyer started with the Health Department in October 2002 as a Program Supervisor in the Community Nursing Division. She is responsible for oversight of the Medicaid Outreach, Refugee Health Services, and Childhood Lead Poisoning programs. Joan has a Masters degree in Public Administration from Grand Valley State University and a Bachelors degree from Calvin College.

Get the Lead Out! is a multi-agency collaborative that seeks to end childhood lead poisoning in Kent County. As of this date, there are more than two dozen partner organizations. The Collaborative’s purpose is to coordinate new and existing activities around the prevention of childhood lead poisoning. The Collaborative seeks to change and/or build systems for more effective prevention.