Greetings!
“Change is the only constant.” This quote rang true for Grand Forks Public Health (GFPH) this year. Numerous grants ended that financially supported temporary pandemic response and other changes impacted our organizational chart. As we all discern the “new normal,” our operations must adjust.
In June 2024, the Mosquito Control Program, formerly housed by GFPH, along with components of the Water Works Department moved to a newly created Environmental Management Department to better align similar work. GFPH will continue to work closely with Mosquito Control to educate and inform the public about West Nile Virus and other mosquito-borne diseases in our community.
Secondly, the Grand Forks Withdrawal Management Center became The Nest on 4th, an emergency, low-barrier shelter operated by Grand Forks Housing Authority. Shifting the focus of the facility to sheltering instead of withdrawal management has demonstrated that resources are better utilized and there is a reduced barrier to entry. GFPH continues to advocate for safe sheltering and housing, as housing is healthcare.
2024 also brought wonderful additions to our department. Mental Health Matters, formerly housed by Grand Forks Police Department, shifted to GFPH providing new opportunities for community collaborations. We also celebrated the launch of the Greater Grand Forks Milk Depot, a result of years of work to help support our littlest community members, those staying in the NICU, get the healthiest start in life.
Finally, I close with a special shoutout to my colleagues at GFPH that have weathered these changes while continuing to serve our community and clients. It is my hope for 2025 that all our neighbors find ways to stay healthy, including the ways not prescribed by a clinician – a walk outside, brunch with a confidant, or finding a cozy spot with a good book.
In gratitude and wellness,
Tess Wall
Supporting Independence of Older Adults
The Adult Home Visiting Program provides affordable, health-maintenance nurse visits to adults living within Grand Forks County. More than 260 home visits were completed in 2024, focusing on medication management, health monitoring, and connecting individuals with local resources that help maintain safety and independence. Along with empowering the clients to live more independently and comfortably in their own homes, these services help mitigate the risk of unnecessary hospitalizations or moves into long-term care facilities – promoting efficient resource allocation within the greater healthcare system.
Protecting Lives Through Screening and Early Detection
GFPH’s Women’s Way is the breast and cervical cancer early detection program that serves the Northeast region of North Dakota. The program helps women with low income pay for and navigate access to timely breast and cervical cancer screening, diagnostic testing, and treatment services.
275 clients were provided assistance to navigate and pay for their screening, exceeding the target goal by 19%
182 clients who have medical assistance or Medicare were assisted to access breast and cervical cancer screenings, exceeding the target goal by 104%
In addition to offering client services, the Women’s Way team participated in more than 70 community outreach events, providing education to the public about breast and cervical cancer screening and prevention.
Supporting Positive Health Outcomes
The North Dakota Ryan White Program Part B provides access to HIV-related medical care, treatment, and case management. GFPH’s Ryan White coordinator helps local clients access and navigate HIV care and needed support services to overcome barriers, maintaining positive health outcomes. Client enrollment increased by 30% in 2024, demonstrating a growing awareness and utilization of the program.
Correctional Center Nursing by the Numbers
A team of nurses continually provides quality care at the Grand Forks County Correctional Center. The team oversees all medical intakes and responds to a wide variety of medical concerns including mental health, pain management, skin and dental issues, STI screening and treatment, sleep concerns, and more. In 2024, they incorporated electronic medical and medication administration record systems to boost day-to-day efficiency.
7,298 medical concerns addressed
3,772 intake records reviewed
763 health assessments including tuberculosis screening completed
Preventing the Spread of Tuberculosis
GFPH tuberculosis (TB) program works to prevent the spread of TB in Grand Forks County. The treatment for TB and latent tuberculosis infection involves one or more antibiotics taken over several months. For an active TB case, this can mean more than four types of antibiotics taken over the course of a year. Case management plays a crucial role in ensuring treatment adherence, monitoring for side effects, and providing support to patients, which is essential for successful TB treatment outcomes. 28 clients successfully completed their treatment in 2024, and 27 clients are on track to complete treatment in 2025.
Increasing Immunity
In 2024, 1,028 vaccines were provided. Twenty-two (22) diseases were protected against in these efforts including:
GFPH health launched the immunizegf.org website, an effort to compile immunization resources in Grand Forks County. Immunizegf.org acts as a hub for residents to find vaccine locations and information, as well as stay up to date on local respiratory illness data to help them make informed health decision that best fits their needs.
Supporting Vibrant Community
The Environmental Health team stays busy behind-the-scenes, helping to build healthy, vibrant communities. The team continuously inspects, tests, and educates in order to keep our favorite eateries and activities safe to be enjoyed year-round.
612 nuisances investigated
492 food establishment inspections
148 environmental health consultations
82 pool inspections
54 temporary food event inspections
26 mobile food truck inspections
21 body art studio inspections
20 pre-operational inspections for new food establishments
Helping Our Littlest Community Members
The Greater Grand Forks Milk Depot (GGFMD), housed by GFPH, opened in November 2024. This depot is a convenient, easy location for families to drop off their donated breastmilk. The milk that arrives at the depot is sent to Mothers' Milk Bank in Colorado where it is pasteurized, tested, and analyzed for safety. The milk is then sent to healthcare systems, like Altru, where it is given to growing babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
Donating milk can make a life-saving impact for babies in our community. Even just one ounce of donor human milk can feed a premature baby for an entire day, saving that baby’s life. Learn more about the GGFMD at www.grandforksgov.com/milk.
A Better City for Pets
Grand Forks is BETTER CITIES FOR PETS™ Certified. Research shows that pets help us be more physically active, report less loneliness and stress, and have stronger social ties. This certification demonstrates Grand Forks’ commitment to creating pet-friendly spaces, like the Greenway, making the City of Grand Forks a happier, healthier place to live alongside our furry friends. Visit bettercitiesforpets.com/resource/grand-forks-nd to learn more.
Laying Foundations for Healthy Youth
GFPH lends support to rural schools in Grand Forks County by providing targeted curriculum, immunization information, and connections to health information and resources. GFPH nurses provided 23 classroom presentations in 2024 on topics like dental health, hand and personal hygiene, puberty, nutrition, and physical wellbeing.
GFPH nurses also assisted Grand Forks Head Start, Emerado school, and the YMCA with early childhood physical assessments. These assessments help track childhood development and growth, providing families and educators with insight on how to best support each child.
Cultivating Healthy Communities
24 community members were assigned plots at the Grand Forks Community Garden, managed by the GFPH dietitians. Within the community garden, a plot maintained by GFPH in partnership with the *IMPACT Academy produced nearly 100 pounds of produce that was donated to local food pantries.
A collaborative project between Grand Forks Head Start, NDSU Extension Center, and GFPH provides a garden space for Head Start students to learn about the gardening process, get involved with taking care of the garden, and enjoy the fresh produce that they grow. The team was awarded another Farm to School grant to continue this project in 2025.
* IMPACT Academy is a summer program for middle school students organized by the Grand Forks Police Department.
Partnering to Overcome Food Insecurity
In Grand Forks County, 13% of children experience food insecurity. GFPH continues to partner with community organizations to help families and neighbors overcome this widespread problem that impacts people of all ages every day.
- Facilitated a food security summit attended by 40 community partners to identify current barriers and areas of improvement.
- Formed the Greater Grand Forks Food Security Committee with engagement from 21 community organizations. -- This committee launched Hunger is Here, a video to raise awareness of local food insecurity. The video was funded by GFPH and Blue Zones Project.
- Provided support and training to local food pantries to encourage implementation of evidence-based solutions to improve food security and access to healthy foods.
4th St Farmers Market
The 4th Street Farmer’s Market, organized by the Wellness Program and open to the public, offers an accessible location and time for city and county employees to buy fresh produce from local growers and connect with each other and the community. The market is located behind the county office building and runs every Thursday for five consecutive weeks in July and August.
Collaborative Disease Response
In response to an active case of hepatitis A among a food service worker, GFPH collaborated with ND Health and Human Services and University of North Dakota to provide information, education, and vaccines to those with potential exposure. No additional cases of hepatitis A were identified.
Boosting Client Connection
Propio, a video-chat language interpretation service, became available to GFPH clients. This service adds a visual element to language interpretation that increases connection, understandability of the interpreter, and makes American Sign Language interpretation available. In 2024, Propio was used by GFPH staff to interpret 5 languages: Dari, French, Persian, Somali, and Spanish.
Supporting UND Nursing Education
UND nursing students teamed up with GFPH as part of their program planning, implementation, and evaluation (PPIE) project. The students provided HPV education to sororities and fraternities, provided RSV education and blood pressure screenings to City and County employees, and facilitated a vaccine clinic with the support of GFPH nurses.
This collaborative project provides students with hands-on experience, as well as a deeper understanding of public health nursing. Experiences like these cultivate a deeper interest in public health, developing and attracting future nursing workforce.
2024 Public Health Champion Awards
As part of National Public Health Week, four community members and one team were recognized for their commitment and dedication to the advancement of public health in Grand Forks County. Cpl. Troy Vanyo and Cpl. April Prock, mental health liaisons at Grand Forks Police Department; Mandy Burbank, public health dietitian at GFPH; Rosina Appiah, outpatient mental health specialist at Harmony Haven Therapy; and the Grand Forks Public Safety Answering Point team, 911 call center, were honored with Public Health Champion Awards at Grand Forks City Council.
Supporting the Journey to Quit Tobacco
A member of the Health Promotion Team completed the Mayo Clinic Tobacco Treatment Specialist Certification training. With this training, they will work to reduce barriers to tobacco treatment within the community by fostering relationships with community partners, implementing effective policies, and providing treatment services. The goal is to enhance access to local resources and support community members on their journey to quitting tobacco and nicotine products.
Employee Milestones
Credits:
Created with images by Jacob - "Aerial View of a large Public University in Grand Forks, North Dakota" • Richard - "Drone View" • johnsroad7 - "A View Looking Across A Pedestrian Bridge" • Jacob - "Aerial View of Grand Forks, North Dakota in Autumn" • Natalia - "On a septic sewer well, a worker opens the manhole cover. Plumbing work" • Louis-Photo - "education and school concept little student girl studying at school" • Sierra Johnson - "Rainbow Over Town Square"