At its September meeting, the Board of Directors for the Central Nevada Health District named Daren Winkelman as its new administrator.
Winkelman previously had served as the district’s environmental health manager and is no stranger to the public health environment.
“For me, this was an exciting opportunity to be part of a new entity that provides rural services in several communities,” said Winkelman, adding that he looks forward to offering health services to vulnerable rural populations.
“It is unique to have several communities in the jurisdiction of the district and I look forward to being part of the start-up efforts for this new rural health district.”
As administrator for the Central Nevada Health District, Winkelman will direct his attention to the three main areas of responsibility at the district: community health with its focus on family planning, nursing and vaccinations, environmental health which looks at public water systems and restaurant inspections and finally, public health preparedness with its focus on emergency preparation and response.
Winkelman previously served as an environmental scientist and then bureau chief for the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection in Carson City and as an environmental health specialist with the Nevada State Health Division. He also served as director for the Carson City Health and Human Services department for 12 years.
The Central Nevada Health District was established this summer as the first rural health district in Nevada. The district was developed based on the belief that local communities knew, understood, and could provide services for their populations better than the state could. It came from the belief that through combining the resources and efforts of multiple rural communities, they could increase the efficiency and effectiveness of their services. The district serves Churchill, Mineral, Eureka and Pershing Counties and the City of Fallon.
For more information, please call the Fallon office at (775)867-8181 or visit the district’s website at: www.centralnevadahd.org.