Healthy Communities Partnership announces new director    

[FEB. 26, 2004]  Healthy Communities Partnership has announced the appointment of a new director. Kristin Lessen will lead the agency, which coordinates community leaders and professionals in addressing the physical, emotional and spiritual health needs of our community.

Lessen will oversee the seven HCP task forces. The task forces are composed of representatives from government, health and law enforcement agencies in Lincoln and Logan County. Each task force has a set mission and each year strategizes its goals in accordance with community needs. HCP helps unify efforts toward a healthier community.

The task forces are:

• Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Task Force

• Domestic Violence Prevention Task Force

• Healthy Families Task Force

• Senior Issues Task Force

• Parish Nurse Task Force

• Rural Health Partnership Task Force

• Governance and Funding Task Force

HCP six-month update to the community: ["Healthy Communities Partnership celebrates success, including FDA ephedra ban"]

Lessen brings a wealth of experience to her new role, and she has been associated with the partnership in various capacities since 1998.

Most recently she has served as a substance abuse prevention specialist for Logan Mason Mental Health. Her prior positions include those of case manager for the Youth Services Bureau and as education director for Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

She holds a bachelor's degree in health studies from Eastern Illinois University and a master's degree in human services from Murray State University.

Lessen will serve in her new capacity on a full-time basis. She begins work on March 22. After that date she can be reached at [phone], ext. 409.

The HCP Task Force on Governance and Funding:

• Bobbie Abbott, Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce

• Marty Ahrends, Abraham Lincoln Healthcare Foundation

• Travis Dowell, Healthcare Network Associates

• Margie Harris, Logan County Health Department

• Woody Hester, Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital

• Mark Hilliard, Logan County Health Department

• Susan Shull, Family Medical Center

[News release
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