Former Health Administrator Esker Says it's Time for a Change

Former Effingham County Health Department Administrator Kim Esker Tuesday said for her health, it's a good time to try something new.

Effingham County Board of Health President Dot Behrns Tuesday announced that Esker is no longer employed by the Health Department.

Esker said by phone that "due to the health issues I've been having this past year, it was time to try something new.  She said it was time to do something for her "emotional wellbeing and physical health".

Esker said of the Health Department, "I've been there 20 years; now it's time to look at something else."

Esker has been working as a class instructor at Siemerworks and said it's something she enjoys.  She said, "It's time to focus on fun things.  I'm not going to continue with the ulcers I've got.  My health and my faith are the two most important things to me and that will be my focus."

Ongoing meetings have been taking place since the Effingham County Board has been looking into the budgetary issues of the Health Department, including a recent session when Health Department employees discussed with County Board members and Health Board members their status and what proposed changes could mean to the staff members.

In a statement released overnight, Behrns said, "An interim management team has been installed at the Health Department and an executive search will start immediately.  We want to assure the public that no Health Department services will be affected by this change."

Esker was installed as Health Department administrator in August of 2000.