Jacqueline Billette was chosen last month as the new Allegan County health officer.
The Allegan County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to appoint her, but it remains subject to final approval from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
Billette most recently has been employed by the Central Michigan District Health Department, which serves six counties: Arenac, Clare, Gladwin, Isabella, Osceola and Roscommon. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English and a master’sdegree in public health.
Billette told commissioners during her interview that transparency, clear communication and listening to concerns will be important moving forward.
Angelique Joynes resigned as county health officer in January after serving for 10 years.
The selection process included application reviews and multiple rounds of interviews, with questions sourced from officials and staff in round one and potential public health scenarios in round two.
Billette, who also was a professor of English at Central Michigan University, already has begun duties in the department.
