New Allegan County Health Officer Brings Passion for Public Health and Community Service

Allegan County recently appointed Jacqueline Billette as its next health officer. Her appointment is pending final approval from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, in accordance with state law. County Administrator Rob Sarro expects quick approval and anticipates Billette could start as early as Monday, April 29.

Billette, originally from the Traverse City area, joins Allegan County from the Central Michigan County Health Department, which serves multiple counties in Michigan. She has an education in English and public health, she has a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in these fields. During her introduction at the commissioners meeting, Billette expressed her passion for public health and community service.

As the new health officer, Billette plans to focus on community education and relationship building. She emphasized the importance of providing individuals with the tools to make informed decisions about their own health and lifestyle choices. Transparency, clear communication and community problem solving were highlighted as priorities moving forward.

The previous health officer, Angelique Joines, resigned from the post in January after serving for a decade. The district received over 20 applicants for the role, and ultimately narrowed it down to a select few candidates for interviews. The selection process involved 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 that Billette emerged as the best candidate. The board is optimistic about the new leadership in public health