### Meeting Overview The Whatcom County Council met as the Health Board on October 28, 2025, in a joint session with the Public Health Advisory Board. The 2-hour meeting featured updates from health department leadership, discussion of opioid response efforts, and presentations from four locally-led health initiatives addressing healthcare access in rural and underserved communities. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Public Health Advisory Board (PHAB):** A 21-member volunteer board that serves as a bridge between the community, county health services, and the Board of Health. Currently has 4 vacancies and operates under the vital conditions for health framework. **Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD):** Treatment using medications like buprenorphine to reduce overdose risk by half and help people recover from opioid addiction. Being expanded in EMS, emergency departments, and hospital settings. **Naloxone (Narcan):** An opioid overdose reversal medication now included in basic CPR training. The county distributed 2,490 doses through community boxes and 2,990 through their Safety and Support Program in 2025. **Street Medicine Team:** Public health team consisting of nurse Ashton Mott and behavioral health specialist Amanda Leninga who provide outreach services at encampments, permanent supportive housing, and respite beds to connect people with treatment. **Opioid Settlement Funds:** Money recovered from litigation against pharmaceutical companies. Whatcom County will receive $5.8 million over 18 years (about $350,000-$450,000 annually) for prevention and treatment programs. **Public Hospital Districts:** Locally-controlled health entities formed by community vote with elected commissioners. There are 57 in Washington State, including Point Roberts and Skagit County's United General District #304. **Vital Conditions for Health:** Framework focusing on civic muscle, belonging, transportation, basic needs, environment, economic opportunity, humane housing, meaningful work, lifelong learning, and thriving natural world. **Health Equity Zones:** Community-driven initiatives to address health disparities. East Whatcom County is one of three pilot zones in Washington State, with a community advisory board and youth participation starting at age 14. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Jon Scanlon | Council Member / Health Board Chair | | Champ Thomaskutty | New Health Department Director (started October 27) | | Charlene Ramont | Assistant Health Director / Former Interim Director | | Christine Espina | Public Health Advisory Board Chair | | Dr. Meg Lelonek | Co-Health Officer | | Kari Holley | Opioid Prevention Specialist | | Dr. Gabriel Durbin | Whatcom Mobile Medicine | | Bob Anderson | Lummi Island Health and Wellness | | Beth Ruth | Skagit County Public Hospital District #304 | | Kristina Michele Martens | East Whatcom County Health Equity Zone | ### Background Context This meeting occurred during a significant transition in county health leadership, with new director Champ Thomaskutty starting just one day before the meeting. The county is managing a $1 million budget reduction while continuing essential services including operating the severe weather shelter after receiving no responses to their RFP. The opioid crisis remains a major public health concern, with Whatcom County experiencing about twice the national average for overdose deaths per capita. However, deaths have decreased from a peak of 12 per month in 2024 to about 7 per month currently, following national trends. About 80% of local overdose deaths involve fentanyl, often mixed with methamphetamine. Rural healthcare access continues to be a challenge, particularly in East County after the 2021 flood destroyed the Sumas medical clinic. Community-led initiatives are emerging to fill gaps, representing a growing trend toward local solutions for health equity and access issues. ### What Happened — The Short Version The meeting began with the introduction of new Health Department Director Champ Thomaskutty, an epidemiologist with 10 years of administrative experience. Assistant Director Charlene Ramont provided updates on department activities, including hiring a new financial services manager, monitoring federal policy changes, and implementing the mid-biennium budget cuts. PHAB Chair Christine Espina reported on the board's October 17 retreat where members identified shared values and committed to using the vital conditions framework. The board has 4 vacancies and continues working on community health assessment and improvement planning. Dr. Meg Lelonek presented comprehensive opioid response data showing decreasing death rates but continued challenges. Kari Holley detailed how the county plans to spend opioid settlement funds, emphasizing prevention, treatment, and public education campaigns. The highlight was hearing from four community-led health initiatives: Whatcom Mobile Medicine providing rural primary care, Lummi Island Health and Wellness creating community resilience, Skagit County's public hospital district model, and the East Whatcom Health Equity Zone empowering community-driven solutions. ### What to Watch Next - November 5: County Council consideration of opioid settlement fund supplemental budget request - Implementation of Healthy Children's Fund 2025-26 plan coming to Council for final decisions - Public comment period for county's Homeless Housing Plan 2026-2030 - Continued hiring for severe weather shelter operations - PHAB's upcoming regular meeting to evaluate accomplishments and plan future priorities ---