Monroe County health department stays closed to walk-ins Monday as interim officer awaits final OK

Monroe County’s health department will stay closed to walk-in visitors Monday (Oct. 26), with some services completely suspended, while county officials work to complete the appointment of an interim health officer.

It’s not clear when regular services will resume.

On Monday, the department will operate by appointment only, according to a news release issued Sunday morning. It will not issue permits or birth and death certificates, or provide testing or treatment for sexually transmitted infections. Residents seeking other services can call 812-349-2543 to arrange an appointment. The department is located at the southeast corner of College Avenue and 7th Street in downtown Bloomington.

It was previously announced on Thursday last week (Oct. 22) that the health department would be closed for walk-in services on Friday in the wake of the sudden resignation of health officer Sarah Ryterband.

The Sunday release says the Monroe County board of health and county commissioners are working with the county legal department to complete an interim appointment as quickly as possible.

“The appointment process is moving forward, and we will share an announcement as soon as it is finalized,” the release states.

The service disruption follows the immediate resignation Thursday (Oct. 22) of health officer Sarah Ryterband, who left before a scheduled public hearing on her possible removal. The department’s top administrative job has been vacant since September, when Ryterband fired health administrator Lori Kelley.

At Thursday’s board meeting, the five members voted unanimously to appoint Morgan County health officer Paul Broderick on an interim basis. Broderick had indicated he was willing to serve for a few months while Monroe County searched for a permanent replacement.

But the appointment still needs action by Monroe County’s commissioners and approval from Morgan County’s board of health.

Sunday’s release did not mention Broderick or say whether either approval had been granted.

Ryterband’s departure has immediate practical consequences because the health officer has statutory authority over the department and must authorize certain official documents. After Thursday’s meeting, health board chair Lisa Hanner-Robinson said the health officer’s signature is needed for birth and death certificates and septic permits, among other official paperwork.

County attorney David Schilling said Thursday that the department could no longer issue documents bearing Ryterband’s signature or stamp after she resigned. He planned to seek urgent action from county commissioners and consult state health officials about how to handle the gap before a successor took office.

The leadership turnover comes amid broader staffing difficulties at the department. Kelley had served as administrator since 2022. After her September firing, her attorney alleged that she had experienced workplace sexual harassment and had been dismissed in retaliation for raising concerns. Ryterband denied the allegations at Thursday’s meeting. Those allegations have not yet been considered in a judicial process.

The board also heard Thursday about shortcomings identified in an after-action review of the department’s response to a meningococcal disease case at Bloomington High School South in May. The review recommended improvements in communication, emergency medication authority and backup staffing arrangements.

The board now has to oversee that work while recruiting a permanent health officer and a new administrator. The board itself is operating with five members instead of the seven prescribed by state law.

For residents, even a scheduled appointment will not restore the services specifically suspended, which include certain permits, vital records, and STI testing and treatment. In its Sunday news release, the department did not announce a date for resumption of regular walk-in service.