Clark County Health Department Announces Friend of Public Health Award

Thursday, March 16th, 2023 -- 1:01 PM

Public health protects and improves the health of entire populations in our community through a variety of strategies.

Populations can be as small as a family or as large as an entire county. Public health connects all of us. We are all impacted  by the health of our community members. A healthy county can only be achieved through the support, partnerships, and involvement of its residents, faith-based organizations, elected officials, businesses, coalitions, healthcare organizations, schools, etc.

It is the mission of the Clark County Health Department (CCHD) to promote health, prevent disease, and protect community members through partnerships and population-based services.

Each year, during the first week of April, the American Public Health Association invites communities across the United States to observe National Public Health Week. It is a time to recognize the contributions of public health, raise awareness about public health and prevention, and highlight issues important to improving our nation’s health.

In support of public health week, the CCHD recognizes individuals and/or organizations as recipients of the “Friend of Public Health” award. This year, the CCHD is proud to recognize Elizabeth (Liz) Kracht for her contributions to public health and prevention.

She has played a vital role in helping establish Clark County as a member of Safe Kids, a network of various entities geared toward preventing childhood injuries worldwide. Without Liz’s partnership and support, the CCHD would not be co-coordinators with Wood County Safe Kids nor have access to injury prevention programs and funding opportunities.

Liz is the leader of Safe Kids Wood and Clark Counties Coalition and is Marshfield Medical Center’s Injury Prevention Coordinator. Through both of these roles, she has been diligently working for numerous years to help promote safety in Clark County.

Liz helped get the Stop the Bleed trainings up and going in Clark County, which encourages bystanders to become trained, equipped, and empowered to help in a bleeding emergency before professional help arrives.

She trained CCHD staff, who now in turn, have trained numerous professionals and community members. She graciously writes and shares grant opportunities to help supply Stop the Bleed kits to underserved populations. In addition, she assists in many trainings and events in our county.

Liz also secured grants that have supplied Clark County officers with bike helmets for children who may be unable to afford them. She also supplied the framework for the Caught Being Safe program.

During the pandemic, she helped supply bike safety materials and has since helped assist in Clark County bike rodeos. The CCHD would also like to thank all of the organizations, coalitions, and community members who have contributed to promoting health in Clark County.

To learn more about public health, contact the CCHD at (715) 743-5105, visit our website at www.clarkcounty.wi.gov/healthdepartment, or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/clarkcohealthdept.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.