Vacancies: Three depart Monroe County board of health, including chair, and 36-year member

Three members of Monroe County’s board of health concluded their service on that governing body at last Thursday’s meeting (Dec. 18).

Only one of them, George Hegeman, had reached the end of their current four-year term. Lee McKinley’s current term did not conclude until the end of 2028. Current board chair Dawne (Aurora) DiOrio’s current term went through the end of 2027.

The board of health appoints the county health officer, who is currently Sarah Ryterband. The health officer, in turn, is the executive officer or the county health department. So the board of health essentially oversees the county health department.

Until appointments can be made to fill the vacancies on the seven-member governing body, the duties of the board will fall to the remaining four members of the board. Lisa Hanner-Robinson, Stephen Pritchard, Kay Leach, and Michael Teague. The appointment of Teague, who attended his first meeting in September this year, was recent enough that his name has not been added to the board of health’s web page.

Six of the appointments to the board are made by county commissioners. The seventh is made by the county council. The council appointee is Lisa Hanner-Robinson. That means it will be up to the county commissioners to find three people to fill the current vacancies on the board. One challenge to filling vacancies on the board is that it’s required under state law to be partisan balanced—no more than four of the members can be affiliated with the same political party.

For about a year and a half, Monroe County’s board of health has been under increasing scrutiny, after the Futures Family Planning Clinic was closed in fall 2024. More recently, the health department and its health administrator, Lori Kelley, faced sharp questioning from county councilors during the 2026 budget process, over a request for a vehicle to provide mobile health services, and the request to add staff positions to replace public health services contract work previously done by IU Health.

The start of Hegeman’s service on the board was not pinpointed at last Thursday’s meeting. Hegeman himself did not remember, saying, “I was president from 1997 to 2005 so it had to be before then.” Based on Herald-Times reporting from that era, Hegeman was appointed in late December 1989, which means his service spanned nine four-year terms for a total of 36 years. At Thursday’s meeting, county commissioner Jody Madeira read aloud an encomium in honor of Hegeman’s service.

Encomium Honoring Dr. George Hageman

Whereas, after his retirement from the Biology Department at Indiana University in 2002, George pursued several important community projects, including his work with the League of Women Voters and the Friends of Lake Monroe; and

Whereas, for more than two decades, George has shared his insight with his colleagues on the Monroe County Board of Health; George has been a constant presence at board meetings, sharing his extensive knowledge, wisdom, and experience with board members, health department staff, and the community at large. Curiosity and accuracy have been guiding principles in his service on the Board of Health; and

Whereas, while we appreciate volunteers who are members of Monroe County boards and commissions, we are especially grateful for those who dedicate decades of their time to serving the community; and

Whereas, we acknowledge with our deepest gratitude and respect the contributions of George to the well‑being of Monroe County residents;

Now, therefore, be it resolved, we, the Board of Commissioners of Monroe County, Indiana, do hereby express our respect and gratitude to Dr. George Hageman for his outstanding contribution to the Monroe County community.

The news that McKinley and DiOrio, as well as Hegeman were stepping down from the board of health was reported by the president of the board of county commissioners at the board’s Thursday meeting. About DiOrio’s service, Thomas said, “She’s currently the chair of that board and has really made a big difference for Monroe County and public health.”

Monroe County provides an online form to apply for an appointment to the board of health.