By HOLLY GASKILL
In a unanimous 5-0 vote, the Wells County Board of Health approved Dr. Brandon Huggins as the new health officer.
The board’s appointment will now be considered for certification by the County Commissioners. Their next scheduled meeting is at 5 p.m. on March 18 in the meeting room of the Wells County Carnegie Annex.
Huggins is an orthopedic spine surgeon with the Lutheran Health Network, including Bluffton Regional Medical Center. He received his undergraduate and medical degree from Indiana University. He is also a Norwell graduate.
On Monday, the board interviewed Huggins during an executive session in the large conference room of the Wells County Public Library and made their appointment in a following special session. The appointment was the only item on the agenda.
Board members Chris Esterling, Steve Bales, Dr. Mary Donley, Ann McNabb and Molly Hoag voted in favor of the appointment; board members Dr. Bart Hott and Tamara Troutt were absent.
Should the appointment be certified, Huggins will take over from Dr. Kay Johnson, who voluntarily resigned from the position in an agreement with the county in February. Johnson will continue in the role in the interim.
holly@news-banner.com
