HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Reno County Health Director Nick Baldetti has announced his resignation. Mr. Baldetti has accepted a position as the Executive Director of Healthcare Initiative for McPherson College in McPherson, Kansas. His last day with Reno County will be Friday, August 14, 2020.
Mr. Baldetti was hired by the Reno County Health Department in March 2013, as the health educator. He was promoted to assistant director in September 2013 and then as the director in March 2015. During his time at the health department, Nick oversaw the following accomplishments for the health department.
• Accreditation process with the Public Health Accreditation Board
• Departmental solvency through increased grant activity
• Departmental program expansion in health equity, substance abuse and mental health
Nick Baldetti stated, “I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to work with and lead so many talented and committed individuals in helping to better this community through direct and indirect clinical, social, emotional and economic interventions. I could not be more proud of the team at the Health Department and am excited to continue to address access to health and assurance of community welfare in a brand-new way for Kansas at McPherson College”.
Reno County Commission Chairman Ron Sellers expressed the County’s gratitude to Nick for his work and the health department and particularly his recent work with COVID-19. According to Chairman Sellers,
“He has led the County in such a way that Reno County has minimized COVID cases and has kept the public especially well informed as to the current situation of the County. His coordination of all Reno County partners has been excellent. Reno County’s health department is one of the top departments within the State and we owe much of this to Nick’s past efforts”.
County Administrator Randy Partington stated, “Nick has done an exceptional job as the health director and public health officer, especially while being at the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic. He will be missed at Reno County”.
Following Nick’s departure from the county, the health department’s two assistant directors will become appointed interim directors. Reno County will begin searching for a new health director with more details to follow. Regarding the public health officer, the county will look at the alternatives and notify the public when an announcement is ready.
Citizens of Reno County will continue to receive COVID-19 related updates in a timely manner.