Leland Lewis
Executive Director
DuPage County
Health Department

During 2001 public health moved into the national spotlight. It has been a long time since public health has received this attention. It is unfortunate that it took a national disaster of this magnitude to recognize the importance of our mission. We were however, ready for that responsibility, just as we have always been prepared since the DuPage County Health Department was founded by referendum in 1945. Our service to the county continued with distinction on all fronts while heeding the public concern over issues initiated by the attack on America on September 11.

We have not wavered in our efforts to provide service and protection, which is the theme of this year’s annual report. The saying goes that “When public health is doing a good job, no one notices.” We are comfortable in that role of being dependable service providers who stand ready to protect the community from all types of threats. That responsibility has not changed.

While we took immediate steps to inform and protect DuPage County residents from bioterrorism, our work continued in all three of our service units. You will read success stories that illustrate our accomplishments throughout the annual report. Health Department employees are compassionate and committed. I applaud them – and the Board of Health for supporting these efforts – to make DuPage County a safe and healthy place to work and live.

The annual report highlights in summary form the Health Department work that was accomplished in 2001, but the real story is seen in the faces behind those facts and figures. We took highly successful steps this past year to tell more people about the Health Department and its services. We increased – at the urging of the Board of Health – our public visibility with greater media coverage, including print media, television and radio. Our website attracted more and more “hits.” And most importantly, our service and professional expertise was recognized in positive community feedback.

Our challenge now is to continue our “Service and Protection” while efficiently using precious resources, prioritizing our programs and informing DuPage County residents of the value we
provide. We are prepared to meet this challenge and look forward to many more achievements in 2002.

Leland Lewis, B.S., M.B.A.