Porter County health officer retiring

VALPARAISO | Dr. Gary Babcoke is retiring as Porter County's health officer after serving 33 years and overseeing the implementation of programs proponents say distinguish the department from others across the state.

"He's been an outstanding example of what health officers should do for a county," Board of Health Chairman Martin Moeller said.

Babcoke, who is only the county's second health officer, will step aside June 30, according to health board attorney Dave Hollenbeck.

The plan is to have his replacement begin June 1 to allow for an overlap to help with the transition, Hollenbeck said. The health department is taking applications through Feb. 28 from physicians.

Babcoke said in a prepared statement he has seen significant changes in public health during his years of service and considers it a privilege to have guided the local department with its responses.

Health Department Administrator Keith Letta said Babcoke is highly regarded around the state and helped keep the local department in step with the needs of the time.

Some of the department's accomplishments during this period include computerization of records; implementation of a tuberculosis testing program and clinic; opening of the Portage office; expansion of child immunization to adult and travelers providing 50,000 immunizations last year, and creation of a pregnancy testing and prenatal care program.

He also was involved in the expansion of care for the indigent; creation of an HIV and STD testing and treatment program; initiation of a countywide hazardous materials team and a water sampling program at beaches and around landfills; and recent responses involving small pox, West Nile and H1N1 immunizations.

"We're losing an incredible county servant," Hollenbeck said.