“We are excited to have someone within our organization who understands our public health challenges and has worked side by side with Jim (Gross),” said Emmett Orr, president of the Montgomery County health board. “Jeff is committed to improving the health of Montgomery County’s population by preventing the spread of disease, promoting healthy behaviors and protecting the environment.”
Cooper succeeds Gross, who retired in December after 36 years with public health. Gross was commissioner for seven of those years.
“One of the highest priorities is to make sure this organization remains a high performing health department that’s respected by our community leaders and our citizens,” Cooper said of the goal he wants to accomplish as commissioner.
Cooper’s salary had not been determined as of Friday, according to Bill Wharton, Public Health spokesman. His final contract, which will include his pay, is set to be voted on during the health board’s Wednesday meeting. The noon meeting will be held in the board’s conference room inside the Reibold Building, 117 S. Main. St.
Gross’s salary when he retired was $175,011, according to Wharton.
Cooper has been in his current position for seven years and prior to being the health commissioners’s assistant, he was the emergency preparedness coordinator.
He graduated from Beavercreek High School before obtaining a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in Biological Sciences from Wright State University.
“My interest was in always helping individuals become healthier and doing that through a strong public health program,” Cooper said.
Public Health recently released its 2014 community health assessment, which is available for review at www.phdmc.org.
Cooper said the assessment tells him that there are many areas of opportunity to improve the health status of Montgomery County residents.
“So, we’re really excited about moving forward in 2015, working with our community partners to put together an overall community health improvement plan and start prioritizing some of those health issues,” Cooper said.
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