Columbiana County Health District honored for response during East Palestine train derailment
Ohio Health Director Bruce Vanderhoff commended the Columbiana County Health District staff for their community-based, timely response to helping the community after the train derailment in East Palestine.
During the Ohio Public Health Conference in April, the county health commissioner, Dr. Wesley J. Vins, received the Ohio Department of Health Director’s Award for leadership during the catastrophic incident.
“This is a testament to our public health partnership from the local to the federal level. Partners are our greatest strength. Our residents have benefited greatly thanks to all the hard work that the Health District staff and our public health partners have done and continue to do.” said Dr. Vins.
Health Assessment Clinic
After a Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, residents reported symptoms like skin rashes and burning eyes from the toxic chemicals being released and later burned. Many residents had questions about drinking water.
Dr. Vins and the district set up a free, temporary health assessment clinic at First Church of Christ in East Palestine, providing residents with answers.
Anyone with health questions or concerns about the derailment had the opportunity to speak with medical and mental health professionals at the church. The clinic opened its doors and saw 388 individuals while being open for 28 days.
They also established the permanent health clinic in East Palestine, operated by East Liverpool City Hospital, continuing to serve patients with derailment-related questions or concerns at no cost.
Dr. Vins also went to Washington, D.C., this March to be an advocate for East Palestine.
He testified in a hearing held by the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment, focusing on community recovery and the need for a long-term well-sampling program. He explained this would ensure safe drinking water for homes affected by the derailment.
For more information, visit the Columbiana County Health District website.
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