Longtime Health Department Administrator Retires

After a 35 year career with the McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH), Public Health Administrator Patrick J. McNulty will be retiring May 30, 2014. Mr. McNulty started with the Health Department in May of 1979 as an Environmental Health Practitioner and was promoted to Environmental Health Division Director in 1985.  He served as Interim Public Health Administrator in 1999 and 2001 when the Board of Health appointed him the fifth Public Health Administrator for the Department.

McNulty has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Health and has taken additional graduate level classes in Public Health. Over the years, McNulty has been involved with local, state and national organizations that have addressed public health issues. He was a founding member of the Northern Illinois Public Health Consortium when it formed in 2002. The consortium represents the public health interest of over 8.5 million people in the Northern Illinois Region. 

• Upon reflection of the Department’s accomplishments over his 35 year tenure, McNulty stated –
• Nnational recognition of the county’s public health systems as one of the healthiest in the state;
• ·Expansion of the Department’s staff, programs and locations to meet the needs of a growing population that includes a community-based obesity prevention program, a breast and cervical cancer program, a full time dental program and WIC programming offered in four locations;
• ·Receipt of numerous National Association of Counties Achievement Awards;
• The first extensive groundwater mapping and study of shallow aquifers in the County;
• A modern Animal Control and Adoption Center managed by a veterinarian;
• A comprehensive 24/7 communicable disease and public health emergency response program including the hire of an Epidemiologist;
• A community-based public health systems needs assessment;
• Expanded volunteer opportunities with the Medical Reserve Corps and Animal Control; and
• Franchising of solid waste services in several unincorporated areas that has resulted in improved recycling rates.

The Board of Health has appointed Joseph Gugle as Interim Public Health Administrator. Mr. Gugle has been an MCDH employee for 28 years and is currently the Manager for Planning, Personnel and Administration. The Department of Health will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2016.