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Tag: Tim Ingram

  • Hamilton County Health Commissioner to retires after 27 Years in Office

    Hamilton County Health Commissioner to retires after 27 Years in Office

    Hamilton County, Ohio – Hamilton County Health Commissioner Tim Ingram has announced he is retiring from Hamilton County Public Health to pursue other opportunities. He is being replaced on an interim basis by Assistant Health Commissioner for Environmental Health Services, Greg Kesterman.

    “It has been an honor and privilege to lead this agency,” Ingram said.  “Our staff is top-notch, passionate about their work and dedicated to customer service. We’re in a much better place that we were in 27 years ago.” Ingram says he is considering opportunities in teaching, health care and continuing to work with the disease of addiction, in addition to enjoying family time, travel and other activities.

    According to Hamilton County Board of Health Chair Jim Brett, “Tim’s leadership has advanced this agency light-years from where he began. Under his leadership, we have seen numerous awards, national and international recognition. The Board of Health thanks Tim for his leadership and expresses the utmost confidence in interim commissioner Kesterman. Under Greg’s leadership, we will continue to advance what we feel is one of the best public health programs in Ohio – and beyond.”

    Kesterman is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati with a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies and received a master’s in public administration from Northern Kentucky University. He began his career as a sanitarian in the agency’s Environmental Health Division, moving up to division director before assuming the role of assistant health commissioner.

    “I am most excited to lead this team,” he says.  “This is an incredibly important time in public health, as our global society necessitates new approaches to public health and safety. We are well positioned in Hamilton County to take on challenges, as we continue to expand our work on the disease of addiction, ensure the safety of our food service, and maintain sanitation for our focus areas. We have a world-class staff and I can’t wait to get going!”


  • It’s hot – Use caution and common sense in water

    It’s hot – Use caution and common sense in water

    Pool Sanitation and Safety Practices for Safe Swimming

     

    With temperatures and heat indices soaring, a dip in the pool is a great way to cool off. However, those pools can spread disease if not maintained and attended properly.

    “Before you go swimming, visit our website and look up inspection reports for the pools in Hamilton County for which we have responsibility.”

    “It’s like clockwork in that every year when the temperatures start to rise, we see a corresponding increase in illness caused by water-borne pathogens,” says Hamilton County Health Commissioner Tim Ingram.  “Knowledge of good sanitation practices and a little common sense goes a long way toward reducing uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous illness.”

    Many of the diseases in pool water come from fecal accidents and/or a lack of good sanitation practices.  It’s important to follow these steps to prevent pool contamination:

    • Don’t swim when you have diarrhea. This is especially important for kids in diapers. You can spread germs in the water and make other people sick.

    • Don’t swallow the pool water. In fact, avoid getting water in your mouth.

    • Please practice good hygiene. Take a shower before swimming and wash your hands after using the toilet or changing diapers. Germs on your body end up in the water.

    • Take children on frequent bathroom breaks and check diapers often. Waiting to hear “I have to go” may mean that it’s too late.

    • Change diapers in a bathroom and not at poolside. Germs can spread to surfaces and objects in and around the pool and spread illness.

    • If you notice an accident in the pool, leave the pool and notify pool authorities immediately.



    “It’s also crucial to maintain safe swimming practices,” Ingram adds.  “Drowning and other avoidable accidents are all too common this time of year.”  Safe swim practices include:

    • Don’t swim alone.

    • Make sure children are capable swimmers and are supervised at all times.

    • Take CPR and first aid classes.

    • Keep away from drain covers and outlet pipes.

    • Ensure sunscreen is applied to prevent sunburn.

    • Keep glass bottles away from pool areas.

    • Don’t dive into shallow water.

    • Have the following items available:

    • Flotation device and / or shepherd’s crook;

    • Phone to call 911;

    • First aid kit.

    “Before you go swimming, visit our website and look up inspection reports for the pools in Hamilton County for which we have responsibility,” Ingram says.  “A little prevention and precaution can ensure that your cool dip is as enjoyable as it’s supposed to be.”  Inspection reports for pools can be viewed at www.hcph.org.

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      Loveland chiropractor Douglas Portmann, DC at Wards Corner Chiropractic & Sports Rehab is one of the best chiropractors in the Loveland area
  • Lead and arsenic contamination found at Taylor Creek Youth Organization fields

    Lead and arsenic contamination found at Taylor Creek Youth Organization fields

    Hamilton County Public Health (HCPH), working in conjunction with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), have discovered lead and arsenic contamination in fields at Taylor Creek Youth Organization.

    Taylor Creek Youth Organization (TCYO) is a non-profit sports organization located in Hamilton County’s Whitewater Township.  The organization’s sports complex, located at 8015 Furlong Road., provides baseball, softball and soccer fields. In addition, the complex hosts a weekly “turkey shoot” during the winter months.

    A citizen complaint was sent to the Ohio EPA with concern that lead from the turkey shoots could potentially contaminate playing fields. Children and other individuals using the playing fields might potentially be exposed to unsafe levels of lead.

    The Ohio EPA referred the case to Hamilton County Public Health. HCPH staff conducted a visual inspection of the field in closest proximity to the field used for the turkey shoots.  Visual inspection indicated debris from shotgun shells littering the field, as well as particles of a gray metallic substance. Inspectors suspected the substance was lead.

    A licensed lead risk assessor employed by HCPH took soil samples from the field. In addition, a water sample was collected from a hose fixture on the west side of the facility’s concession stand. Test results for soil were returned confirming soil contamination with lead and arsenic. Water sample results showed no contamination.

    Lead poisoning is caused by swallowing or breathing lead. Unborn babies and children under six years old are most at risk. Lead poisoning hurts the brain and nervous system and can cause learning and behavior problems.Some of the effects of lead poisoning may never go away. Lead in a child’s body can: slow down growth and development; damage hearing and speech; and make it hard to pay attention and learn.

    Arsenic occurs naturally in soil and minerals and may enter the air, water and land from wind-blown dust and may get into water from runoff and leaching. Breathing high levels of inorganic arsenic can give you a sore throat or irritated lungs.

    Swallowing arsenic can cause nausea and vomiting, decreased production of red and white blood cells, abnormal heart beat, damage to blood vessels, and a sensation of “pins and needles” in hands and feet.

    “While we feel that the potential risks to children who have played on these fields are small, we would advise anyone concerned to consult with their physician,” says Hamilton County Health Commissioner Tim Ingram. “Tests for both lead and arsenic exposure are readily available and easy to administer.

    “The staff at Taylor Creek Youth Organization has been extremely cooperative,” Ingram adds. “They obviously have great concern for the children and others who use the facility and we appreciate the cooperation.”

    Further soil sampling will be conducted to better understand the extent of the contamination. For more information on lead exposure, visit Hamilton County Public Health website at hcph.org and search “lead.”

    Wards Corner Chiropractic & Sports Rehab

      Loveland chiropractor Douglas Portmann, DC at Wards Corner Chiropractic & Sports Rehab is one of the best chiropractors in the Loveland area.