Erin Mrenak has been appointed the new Director of the Erie County Department of Health. Her appointment was approved by County Executive Brenton Davis, the Erie County Board of Health and the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
County Executive Brenton Davis said, “Erie County is fortunate to have Erin as the new Director of the Department of Health. She has a strong background in healthcare and has proven herself in real world conditions as being the right professional for the job. I have complete confidence in Ms. Mrenak’s ability to balance the demands of public health while respecting personal freedoms. Erie County could not be in more capable hands.”
Mrenak had been serving as the Interim Director since Jan. 3. She most recently served as the Deputy Director. Prior to joining the Erie County Department of Health, Mrenak was the Director of Addiction Treatment Services at Stairways Behavioral Health, a community behavioral healthcare organization.
She is a graduate of Allegheny College, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience and Psychology and Gannon University, where she earned a master’s degree in Public Administration.
Mrenak will lead the department with Division Directors Charlotte Berringer (Community Health Services), Nicole Bolash (Health Promotion), Breanna Adams (Environmental Health), Interim Division Director Amy Machinski (Strategy) and Medical Director Anthony Snow, MD.
Services and programs
Erie County Department of Health (ECDH) has full national accreditation from the Public Health Accreditation Board.
Its Child and Family Health programs, which include nurse home visit programs, infant immunizations and child health guidance, are available for families during pregnancy and families with young children. Support for quitting smoking is also available for parents with babies.
It holds Community Health clinics for immunizations, tuberculosis, sexually transmitted infections and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
ECDH promotes healthy living by collaborating with community partners and updating the public on topics such as access to nutritious foods, advisories on diseases prevention such as Lyme disease and swimming advisories for local beaches depending on water safety.
Throughout the year, it holds classes on various health topics. Topics include food safety; how to stay independent and maintain balance for elders; driving safety; health education for refugees; safe ways to track, store and dispose of medication; and more. It has classes and free support programs for quitting smoking, vaping or chewing tobacco.
The Environmental Health Division oversees the safety and sanitation offoodborne and waterborne health in public spaces, helping guide food businesses like restaurants, food trucks and food fairs. It also inspects and issues licenses and permits for body art businesses, manufactured home parks, campgrounds, public beaches and sewage systems.
For more information, contact the Erie County Department of Health at 814-451-6700 or ecdhinfo@eriecountypa.gov.
