Established in 1931
The Laurel County Health Department opened July 1, 1931 with staff doctor G.S. Brock, M.D., as director; Caleb Gross, sanitarian; Luvenia Smith; nurse. The office was located on the second floor of the Poynter Building at Fifth and Main.
The staff initially began visiting schools for examination of students and performing immunizations for typhoid, smallpox, and diphtheria. The health department worked as a liaison between patients and the crippled children commission. Staff performed patient visits with tuberculosis to try to prevent infection to others, as well as, facilitated prenatal clinics and made presentations to local clubs, PTA’s, etc. A home demonstration agent worked within in various programs.
The department provided venereal disease clinics until new medicines took patients to Louisville, held well baby clinics, immunization clinics at local county schools, and annually held a May Day health program. While at the local schools, the nurse performed well child exams. Follow up visits were performed regarding defects found in school exams.
In 1939, the health department moved from the Poynter Building to 310 North Main Street in a small building in front of the Christian Church. At this time, there was a part time health officer, Dr. John D. Fouts, one full time nurse, Mrs. Luvenia Smith Crittendon, one full time sanitarian, Mr. Vernon Yandell, one full time clerk, Mrs. Isabel Yandell.
In 1942, Mrs. Ruth P. Gaines was hired as a full time clerk. To operate the health department, money was donated by Laurel County Board of Education, the Fiscal Court, and London City Council. At a later date, East Bernstadt Board of Education donated funds.
In 1950, Mrs. Ruth P. Gaines became the director of the Laurel County Health Department and several part time people were coming in to assist with different programs. The staff included a venereal disease investigator, plumbing inspector, and a health professional that utilized a portable type machine to do x-ray clinics. A prenatal program was held once a month and immunization clinic was held every Wednesday. Venereal disease clinics were held on Monday of each week. Those patients were treated in the health department, but patients with syphilis were sent to Louisville for rapid treatment.
In 1951, a full time sanitarian (environmentalist) named George Baldwin was hired. In 1953, money was obtained from the Hill-Burton Act and Laurel County Fiscal Court to build a new facility at 310 West Third Street. By this time the staff included a full time health officer, sanitarian, administrator, and two nurses.
In 2002, Mark Hensley, became the Public Health Director and continues to the lead the agency in providing public health services to nearly 61,000 citizens in Laurel County.
Currently, the programs and services LCHD provides to the community include: WIC, Environmental Services/Inspections, Harm Reduction Services, Communicable Disease Investigations, Immunizations and Community Health Education. LCHD staff also facilitates and serves on multiple community coalitions and boards that align with its mission to provide quality health education, preventive health care and environmental health services.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the health department provided over 11,000 vaccines to the public and thousands of Personal Protective Equipment to healthcare businesses within the county. LCHD remains ready to step-up when needed to prevent disease, as well as, to protect and promote the health of Laurel County.
