About the Health Department

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GHD Vision, Mission, & Role
Our Staff
Our History

Greendale Public Health Departments Vision, Mission, & Role
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What is a Local Public Health Department and What Do They Do? 2022
The role of the Public Health Department:
  • Protect against environmental hazards
  • Prevent epidemics and spread of disease
  • Promote and encourage healthy behaviors
  • Respond to disasters and assist in recovery
  • Prevent injuries and protect the community
  • Assure quality and access to health  services
By partnering with community groups GPHD can help encourage:
  • Physical activity & nutrition
  • Support innovative ideas to promote healthy aging
  • Reduce youth use of alcohol and marijuana
  • Reduce social addiction-related stigma
The goal of public health is to promote the highest level of well-being for all groups of people in the community. The Greendale Public Health Department provides a variety of programs and services aimed at preventing or reducing health problems and promoting optimum health for individuals, families, and the community. Health Department services are available to all residents of the Village of Greendale. 

GPHD is proud to be a Level 3 Local Health Department per the Wisconsin Department of Health Services since 2017. State Health Officials identified many services that excel at the Greendale Public Health Department such as: Radon & Lead Poisoning Prevention, Maternal and Child Health, and the Emergency Preparedness programs. The Greendale Public Health Department also provides a strong Community Health Improvement Plan and is committed to continue involving residents in decisions that affect the health of the whole community.
Our StaffAdd a heading (3)   
Our History
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The Greendale Public Health Department was established in 1939 at its first location, a one-room office in the Village Hall. Cecilia Hensley R.N. was the department’s initial hire as Greendale’s first school nurse. As the population and the health needs increased, she became the first Village Nurse.

In 1941, Dr. Ralph Barnes joined the Health Department. He and Ms. Hensley started a Well Baby Clinic providing examinations, counseling, and immunizations. The staff continued to grow with the hiring of Dr. Eli Gecht, who joined the staff and became the first Health Officer in 1951, and Elaine Miller R.N. as the first Public Health Nurse Administrator in 1962.

Ms. Miller expanded the Health Department to meet the needs of a rapidly growing community through communicable disease control, immunizations, health promotion and disease prevention, maternal and child health programs, screening programs, school health and community education. Many of these programs are still in existence in some form today.