Kracht named Friend of Public Health
Public health protects and improves the health of entire populations in our community through a variety of strategies. Populations can be as small as a family or as large as an entire county. Public health connects all of us. We are all impacted by the health of our community members. A healthy county can only be achieved through the support, partnerships and involvement of its residents, faith-based organizations, elected officials, businesses, coalitions, healthcare organizations, schools and more.
It is the mission of the Clark County Health Department (CCHD) to promote health, prevent disease and protect community members through partnerships and population-based services.
Each year, during the first week of April, the American Public Health Association invites communities across the United States to observe National Public Health Week. It is a time to recognize the contributions of public health, raise awareness about public health and prevention, and highlight issues important to improving our nation’s health.
In anticipation of Public Health Week, the CCHD recognizes individuals and/or organizations as recipients of the “Friend of Public Health” award. This year, the CCHD is proud to recognize Elizabeth (Liz) Kracht for her contributions to public health and prevention. She has played a vital role in helping establish Clark County as a member of Safe Kids, a network of various entities geared toward preventing childhood injuries worldwide. Without Kracht’s partnership and support, the CCHD would not be co-coordinators with Wood County Safe Kids, nor have access to injury prevention programs and funding opportunities.
Kracht’s contributions to the county include the following.
She is the leader of Safe Kids Wood and Clark Counties Coalition and is Marshfield Medical Center’s injury prevention coordinator.
“Through both of these roles, she has been diligently working for numerous years to help promote safety in Clark County,” wrote health department director Brittany Mews in a March 14 press release.
Kracht helped get the Stop the Bleed trainings up and going in Clark County, which encourage bystanders to become trained, equipped and empowered to help in a bleeding emergency before professional help arrives. She trained CCHD staff, who now, in turn, have trained numerous professionals and community members. Kracht writes and shares grant opportunities to help supply Stop the Bleed kits to underserved populations. In addition, she assists in many trainings and events in our county.
Kracht also secured grants that have supplied Clark County officers with bike helmets for children who may be unable to afford them. She also supplied the framework for the Caught Being Safe program. During the pandemic, she helped supply bike safety materials and has since helped assist in Clark County bike rodeos.
The CCHD would also like to extend its appreciation to all of the organizations, coalitions, and community members who have contributed to promoting health in Clark County.
To learn more about public health, contact the CCHD at 715-743-5105, visit clarkcounty.wi.gov/healthdepartment or follow the CCHD on Facebook at facebook.com/ clarkcohealthdept.
From l-r, public health nurse Katie Cook presents Liz Kracht with the Clark County Health Department’s Friend of Public Health award.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
