BROOKVILLE, IN — Franklin County’s new Health Officer is a familiar name.
Dr. David Welsh, who currently serves in the same role in neighboring Ripley County, was appointed to the post by the Franklin County Health Board, and the request was ratified by Franklin County Commissioners during a joint meeting of the two boards Tuesday afternoon.
Welsh becomes the fifth doctor to serve as Franklin County Health Officer in 2021, and his appointment comes after a tumultuous period for health-related agencies in Franklin County.
Three people resigned from the Franklin County Health Board recently. Those vacancies were filled by Rachael Ramey, Lynn Griffin, and Carol Westerman upon appointment by county commissioners.
The county has also been dealing with soaring COVID-19 cases and low vaccination rates. Plus, Franklin County High School is on remote learning this week due to the high number of positive cases among students in the first three weeks of classes.
In another action Tuesday, Deb Tibbetts was appointed Franklin County Health Department nursing supervisor. She will receive back pay from July because she had been serving in that role since then. County commissioners appointed Tibbetts and the Health Board approved their request.
