Scott Williams, swilliams@wolfrivermedia.com
Leader File Photo During her tenure as public health director, Jaime Bodden, right, managed Shawano County’s first cases of tuberculosis in nearly 10 years, along with other issues.
The head of the Shawano/Menominee Counties Health Department is stepping down after overseeing public health in the region for nearly four years.
Jaime Bodden, who became director of the department in 2013, has announced her resignation effective May 10.
Her current salary is $73,788 a year.
Bodden, who declined to comment, stated in her letter of resignation that she was proud of the work she and her staff have done to serve people in the area.
“I take pride in knowing that we are highly regarded in our community, serve the public with dignity and respect, and are a team that is made up of diverse skills and personalities,” she wrote.
County officials said Bodden is leaving to accept a position elsewhere, although details were not available.
Bodden recently led the county health department in achieving accreditation from the Public Health Accreditation Board, a national group created in part by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The local department joins just 10 others in Wisconsin to receive the national group’s seal of approval.
Jon Zwirschitz, chairman of the Shawano County board of health, said he credits Bodden with leading the department through significant progress, including the new accreditation.
Zwirschitz said Bodden’s dedication and work ethic have allowed the health department to make other strides, too.
“She’s been a phenomenal asset,” he said. “We’re going to miss her.”
With a budget of about $700,000 a year, Bodden and her staff oversee public health services, communicable disease control, early childhood health programs, family nutrition efforts, immunization programs and other services in both counties.
Since taking over the department, Bodden has managed an outbreak of blastomycosis among river tubers, an episode of the bacterial infection shigellosis during summer school, and the first reported cases of tuberculosis in Shawano County in nearly 10 years. She also worked last year on an ad hoc group in the Shawano School District that studied the health benefits of later school start times for students.
Her duties have been temporarily assigned to Judith Sengstock, a public health nurse in the health department.
Shawano County Administrative Coordinator Brent Miller described Bodden as “a natural leader” and said she will be difficult to replace.
“Jaime will be greatly missed,” Miller said. “She really cares for each citizen of the county, and does her best to look out for their well-being.”