Davis County health building, senior center shown off to public A4 News Clipper April 24, 2011
BY TOM BUSSELBERG Clipper News Editor
CLEARFIELD — The new Davis County Health Department and North Davis Senior Activity Center were shown off Tuesday during an open house. For both facilities, it is the first time that they have their own, dedicated spaces, Health Director Lewis Garrett said. “The Davis County Health Department is the oldest local health department in the state, now 77 years old,” he said. “We have been housed in a variety of places, most recently in the old Sheriff’s Department (in downtown Farmington),” Garrett said. Prior to that, it was housed in the Memorial Courthouse basement, and many years ago, was housed where the Kaysville Branch Library is now. “This will house the majority of our programs,” Garrett said. Remote sites include the Weatherization program housed a few miles away at the Freeport Center; the Inspection & Maintenance facility in Kaysville, and a branch immunization and WIC (Women, Infants & Children) clinic in Bountiful. “This building is a collaborative investment for pub-
RESIDENTS received an inside look at both the health department and senior activity center. Courtesy photo lic health combining resources of the city (Clearfield), county and federal government,” he added. The Midtown Community Health Center is housed on the main level of the health building – something that took a lot of combined effort to achieve, said its executive director, Lisa Nichols. “We provide comprehensive primary health care to
the underinsured, to many who don’t speak English,” she said, emphasizing it is open to anyone. “We have been in Northern Utah since 1970, had a clinic in Ogden, and dreamed of one in Davis County, knew we had citizens of Davis County driving to Ogden,” she said. “We tried and tried, wrote several grants, kept getting turned down for a clinic.”
For the past four years, a clinic was housed in the old Health Department quarters in Farmington. “We’ve been welcomed with open arms,” she said, receiving help from many, including Clearfield City, which provided funds for dental equipment and more, including most of the land for all of the facilities. “We want to provide medical help.We’re the medical help for everyone,
invite neighbors and friends,” Nichols said. “Often when people think of a senior center they think of Meals on Wheels, but it offers many other services,” said County Senior Advisory Board Chair Larry Millward. “This center is somewhat unique, because it houses offices for job training and placement for seniors and training for help for those caring for those suffering
from Alzheimer’s,” he said. “The North Davis Senior Activity Center is a gathering place for senior citizens, a place to socialize, participate in crafts and hobbies, receive tax assistance and many other services,” Garrett said. “All total, there are 50 programs” housed in the two facilities, he said. “Everybody worked together” to make it possible, said Clearfield Mayor Don Wood, who said he envisions other buildings rising downtown. County Commissioner Bret Millburn, who spearheaded the project, thanked county departments who, by managing their budgets, allowed for funds to be set aside to make the facilities possible. Recognitions were also made to Barr Burton, who acted as county project manager, Jim Dudleston, from the county’s Information Systems department, and Marshall Scott, county facilities and maintenance director. County Commissioner Louenda Downs led the ribbon cutting, joined by Senior Services Division Director Sally Kershisnik and Brian Hatch, Communicable Disease/Epidemiology Division director. tbusselberg@davisclipper.com
13th Annual Davis Clipper
to the many community members who attended the fair and to our sponsors and vendors below for providing information and health screenings.
Arbonne International
Lindquist Mortuary
Complete Care Chiropractic
Reliv Nutrition
Cooper Eye Care
Saladmaster
Dr. Amy Curtis – Integrated Dermatology
Sargent Insurance
Dr. Ward – Cope Family Medicine
South Davis Community Hospital
doTerra Essential Oil
Stevens Henager College
Forza Futbol
Thatcher Brook Rehabilitation
Hearing Zone
Therapy on the Fly
Integrated Wellness Isagenix
University of Utah Centerville Health
LDS Hospital
Utah State University
Life Care Center
Shape For Life
Come travel to a variety of places with the dancers at Viewmont High School in their annual dance concert. “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” will take your mind swinging through the Big Apple, celebrating in China, swimming under the sea, right at home where your heart is, and many more places you have never imagined. In February we had a silent auction to fundraise money for the Ministry of Hope, a crisis nursery in Malawi, Africa. Escape and enjoy a fun-filled night of dance with the Viewmont Dance Company. Hope to see you there, you won’t want to miss this one! Bon Voyage!