Allegan County welcomes new health officer with a passion for public health and a commitment to community service.

Allegan County has appointed Jacqueline Billette as its next health officer, pending final approval from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Billette, originally from the Traverse City area, joins Allegan County from the Central Michigan District Health Department. Throughout the hiring process, the county kept the state informed.

Billette holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English and public health. During her introduction at a commissioner meeting, she expressed her passion for public health and community service. Her priorities moving forward include community education and relationship-building, with a focus on providing individuals with the tools to make informed decisions about their own health and lifestyle choices. Transparency, clear communication, and addressing community concerns were also emphasized as priorities.

The previous health officer, Angelique Joynes, resigned in January after serving for a decade. The county received over 20 applicants for the role before narrowing it down to a select few candidates for interviews. The selection process included multiple rounds of interviews with questions covering various public health scenarios and input from officials and staff members. Commissioner Dean Kapenga praised the thorough and diligent selection process, expressing his satisfaction with Billette emerging as the top candidate. The board is optimistic about the new leadership in public health and looks forward to a positive impact on the community.