MOSES LAKE – The Grant County Health District is looking for applicants to fill three open seats on the Grant County Board of Health.  

“The board oversees the work that our staff at GCHD do, and the work that our staff is doing is making a difference in our community,” GCHD Public Information Officer Lexi Smith said. “Every day, it's working directly with certain populations, some that are vulnerable, some its people we're helping prevent disease. We're helping keep food safe. We're helping keep water and air safe. It's really work that affects our community.” 

Open seats  

The board needs to fill both primary and alternative members for seats 5, 6 and 7. Each seat fills a different perspective for GCHD. Seat 5 is for a healthcare provider or professional from a healthcare facility or health organization. 

“It could be any health care provider or a health care professional,” Smith said. “That could be somebody from public health, or it could be a community health worker or a dentist, a pharmacist.” 

Seat 6 is for someone with lived experience. 

“We are looking for somebody who has actually taken part in a public health service,” Smith said. “So, somebody who uses the (Women, Infant and Children) program or needs housing or homelessness support. It could be somebody who's recovering from addiction and has needed treatment services.”   

Seat 7 is for a community stakeholder.  

“This can be really just anyone within our community that has an interest in public health and wants to serve on the board,” Smith said. 

Filled seats 

The board currently has people in all the seats besides Seat 6.  

Seat 1 is filled by County Commissioner Kevin Burgess. His term is one year and expires in December 2025. 

Seat 2 is filled by County Commissioner Cindy Carter. Her term is one year and expires in December 2025. 

Seat 3 if filled by Quincy City Council Member and Board of Health Chair Tom Harris. His term is two years and is set to expire in December 2025.  

Seat 4 is filled by Moses Lake City Council Member Deanna Martinez. Her term is two years and is set to expire in December 2026. 

Seat 5 is filled by healthcare provider Sheila Berschauer. Her term is two years long and set to expire in December 2025. 

Seat 7 is filled by Matthew Paluch, who serves as the board's vice chair. His term is two years and expires in December 2025. 

Seat eight is filled by tribal representative Dr. Alison Ball. Her term is two years and is set to expire in December 2025. 

Responsibilities  

Smith said the primary role takes as long as a typical board position. She said the majority of the position is reviewing materials for the board meetings that happen at 6 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month. The meetings are held at the GCHD office; however, there is a Zoom option as well. The meetings last around one hour to three hours, Smith said. 

“It’s a really important role, because part of it is enforcing local, state and federal health regulations in our county,” Smith said. “They also work to guide GCHD and set our priorities for leadership.”  

Those who are chosen to serve the role will serve one to two years, with the option to extend it with an agreement.  

For those who are looking to fill an alternative role, those members are asked to attend all board meetings and participate when a primary member is unavailable.  

How to apply 

Those who are interested in one of the three open seats can visit bit.ly/GCHDBOH and fill out the application.  

Those who have any questions can contact Administrative Services Division Facilitator Rita Morfin at 509-766-7960 ext. 43 or [email protected].