PHAS Board recognizes long-serving advisory committee members

On Tuesday, January 21, Carla LaPointe and Jerry Lija were recognized for their many years of dedication and service to the Cook County Public Health and Human Service’s Advisory Committee and as members of the PHHS board. Both Jerry and Carla have served as chairs of the Public Health and Human Services Advisory Committee and PHHS board, and both were appointed to the PHHS Advisory Committee in 2009. Staff photo Brian Larsen

Cook County Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) and the PHHS board recognized retiring members Carla LaPointe and Jerry Lilja for their years of service to the PHHS advisory committee and PHHS board at the January 21 PHHS meeting at the Cook County courthouse.

Jerry and Carla have served as chair and co-chair of the PHHS advisory committee, respectively, each year since 2012, and also represented the committee as members of the PHHS board.

Carla joined the committee in 2009 and was first elected as a chair and member of the PHHS board in 2011. Prior to moving to Cook County, Minnesota, Carla provided social services to youth in the Chicago, Illinois area.

Jerry first joined the committee in 2009 as a therapy service provider representing the Human Development Center. He was elected as chair and member of the PHHS board in 2012.

“Jerry and Carla are advocates for our department and for furthering our mission in supporting the health, safety and wellbeing of the community,” said Alison McIntyre, director, Cook County PHHS. “We will miss their leadership on the PHHS advisory committee and board but are grateful that they will continue to serve as advisory members, and we look forward to working with the newly elected chairs of the PHHS advisory committee and the local advisory council for children’s and adult mental health.”