Health Commissioner Announces Improvements at County Health Department

HUNTINGDON (June 24) — Tennessee Commissioner of the Department of Health, Ralph Alvarado, MD, cut the ribbon on Monday to symbolize the planned improvements to the Carroll County Health Department, located at 633 High Street, Huntingdon.

Dr. Alvarado became the 15th commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Health on January 17, 2023.

He said Carroll County Health Department was one of the first rural health clinics he visited in Tennessee when he became the commissioner.

He noted Tennessee is adding financial resources to clinics to better serve the citizens of Tennessee. Staff members commit their skills and lives to improve the health of Tennesseans at the rural county clinics. Following the pandemic in 2020 and 2021, the importance of available health care was greatly noted.

County Mayor Joseph Butler said he is excited for the improvements at the health department. He said the county’s grant writer was successful in her efforts for grant funds. He thanked the Department of Health, members of the General Assembly and A2H Contractors for working toward this project.

Emily Rushing, director of the Carroll County Health Department, said construction will include the clerical offices, medical storage area, floors, countertops, new paint, new roof, and an improvement in work space for the four nurses in the building.

Rushing, who served during the pandemic, commended the great team of medical professionals and clerical staff at the local clinic.

Carroll County Health Department serves the county’s uninsured by providing primary care, vaccines, family planning and women’s health services. The clinic is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.