GALLIPOLIS — Ohio’s health director paid a visit to the Gallia County Health Department for just the second time in nearly 90 years Thursday morning.

Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Alvin Jackson said he made the trip to gain some insight by partnering and learning from local health providers as he values state to local relations. Thursday marked the second visit from a state health director since the department was founded in the 1920s. The meeting largely revolved around public interests such as plans concerning the H1N1 flu, in case an outbreak should ever occur locally, and the adolescent obesity epidemic.

Jackson said he favors a “cradle to the grave” approach to all 11 million people touched by public healthcare. He expressed his appreciation to Gallia County Health Commissioner Dr. Gerald Vallee, who he said is one of the longest serving health commissioners in the state. He also commented that Gallia was doing an outstanding, efficient job with it’s nursing WIC program.

Jackson was appointed to as the director of the Ohio Department of Health in June 2007 by Gov. Ted Strickland. Prior to his appointment, he served as medical director of Community Health Services in Fremont, Ohio for 12 years.