ROCKINGHAM — Employees of the local Environmental Health Department have been recognized for their national accomplishments by the Richmond County Board of Commissioners.
Board Chairman Dr. Rick Watkins presented certificates at Tuesday’s meeting to the employees: Elizabeth Burns, Holly Haire, Patrick Hamilton, Bryan Hancock and Traci Stevens.
“As you’re aware, public health has many silent heroes,” said new Health Director Heather Horne prior to the presentation. “But environmental health is one field that is so very vital and foundational to our public health work in our community.
“Because of their extreme diligence and daily responsibilities, we do not get sick from swimming in pools, drinking our water, eating in restaurants or from food trucks,” Horne continued. “We can assure our tattoo establishments, hospitals, nursing homes, large events, jail, senior meal sites, summer camps, hotels, daycares and schools are all sanitary and safe from many harmful substances.”
Horne said that in 2024, the team had more than 3,000 community contacts, ranging from inspections to complaint investigations, issuing permits and collecting water, wastewater and lead samples.
In 2023 and 2024, the department was awarded the Certificate of Achievement for meeting all nine standards of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program — the only county department in the nation to do so.
Click here to read the 2023 press release.
Last year, the department received the 2024 Samuel J. Crumbine Consumer Protection Award for Excellence in Food Protection at the Local Level, presented by the National Association of County and City Health Officials.
Click here to read that press release.
“We are very fortunate to have this level of expertise, the years of experience and these team members here in our county,” Horne said.
“We are so proud of you and all you do to represent Richmond County and the good job you do every day,” said Watkins.
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