New director named for health department

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By Jane Looney

Special to The SUN

Liane Jollon is the new Public Health Director for San Juan Basin Health Department.

Jollon served as the acting director of the department for the past two months. She joined San Juan Basin Health Department as a clinic nurse in 2010, subsequently serving as a clinic manager and then Health Services Division director. A native New Yorker with a B.A. from Columbia University, Jollon has worked in local and statewide nonprofits in Colorado for the last 14 years. Her experiences range from delivering direct services, to board positions and leadership roles.

“After interviewing and considering three excellent final candidates for the position, in the final analysis our Board of Health believed that Liane offered the best opportunity to lead San Juan Basin Health Department into the future at this time,” said Board of Health Chair Bob Ledger. “During her time as acting director, we’ve been impressed with her ability to seize the opportunity and by her performance.”

San Juan Basin Health is a local public health agency serving all residents of Archuleta and La Plata counties for over 60 years. To improve human and environmental health in our community, we offer health programs and direct services including: reproductive health; child health, immunizations, children’s dental; and supplemental nutrition assistance and education for women and children. Our health programs include: environmental health such as food safety and septic permits; nurse home visitations for first time moms; emergency preparedness; care coordination team for children, adults and senior populations; worksite wellness program and community coalition promoting prevention of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.

San Juan Basin Health has 70 employees with a current annual budget of $4.7 million.