Panhandle Health District

09/09/2026

Thursday, September 10, 2026 Panhandle Health District Board of Health Meeting.
Click Link to Agenda:https://panhandlehealthdistrict.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/20260910-Agenda.pdf

09/04/2026

Panhandle Health District Announces Leadership Changes and New
Opportunities

HAYDEN, ID – Panhandle Health District (PHD) today confirmed that three senior administrators have resigned from the health district, including their District Director and two members of the executive suite. The Board of Health recognizes their contributions for their years of service to the people of Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai, and Shoshone counties. Leadership transitions provide an opportunity to reaffirm the health district’s priorities and ensure that its programs and services are aligned with the needs of the communities it serves.

A board-appointed individual will assume the duties of interim Executive Director. Dr. Gregory Pennock will remain as the Medical Director. All other department heads will remain in place. Environmental Health services remain unaffected under the excellent leadership of Jason Peppin, Environmental and Health Protection Division Administrator, and his team. Restaurant inspections, septic permits, and all environmental programs will continue without interruption.

The administrative departures mark an inflection point and an opportunity to reset
the health district’s clinical goals and direction. Panhandle Health District recognizes that public health decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic damaged trust among the people of northern Idaho. That experience has sharpened our duty to listen more carefully, speak more plainly, and place individual and family judgment, medical freedom and informed consent at the center of PHD clinical programs and clinical care.

The Board of Health recognizes that public health districts must continually
reevaluate how they serve their communities. As part of that process, the Board has acknowledged areas where PHD has opportunities to improve communication,
strengthen relationships with residents, and rebuild confidence in public health
services. These efforts are intended to ensure that patients receive understandable information about their healthcare options and are empowered to participate in decisions about their care.

Moving forward, PHD is committed to its mission statement of Prevent, Promote,
and Protect and its recent emphasis on:
• Informed consent for all procedures, medications and vaccinations and
support all informed consent policies within the region
• Prevention of chronic disease (cardiovascular, cancer, diabetes, obesity,
etc.), the leading causes of death in northern Idaho, while still maintaining
epidemiological surveillance of infectious diseases
• A clinic philosophy of true prevention of disease through personalized
care, nutrition, exercise and lifestyle changes

The Board of Health and District leadership will continue working to ensure a smooth transition and maintain uninterrupted delivery of essential public health services across the five counties of northern Idaho.

Personnel matters are confidential, and Panhandle Health District will not comment on individual employee matters or confidential personnel processes.

For more information, visit www.panhandlehealthdistrict.org or call Jennifer Ekizian, Public Information Officer at Panhandle Health District at 208-415-5185

Panhandle Health District provides over 40 different public health programs to families, individuals and organizations in northern Idaho. We exist to promote healthy lifestyles and help prevent disease while protecting the local environment that supports us all.

09/03/2026

PHD Offices will be closed on Monday September 7, 2026 in Observance of Labor Day.

09/01/2026

Thursday September 3, 2026 Panhandle Health District Board of Health Special Meeting
Click to link to Agenda
https://panhandlehealthdistrict.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/20260903-Panhandle-Health-District-Board-of-Health-Special-Meeting-Agenda.pdf

09/01/2026

September is National Recovery Month, a time to recognize the experiences of people in recovery, from mental health and substance use conditions and the many pathways people take toward improved health and well-being.

Recovery is a personal process and can look different from one person to another. Some people use professional treatment, medications, peer support, mutual-aid groups, family support, or a combination of approaches. Others may describe their recovery in different ways.

Recovery can also involve setbacks, changes in goals, and different forms of support over time.

Recovery is not one experience, and there is no single pathway that defines it. If you need help navigating recovery resources in your community, visit Panhandle Health District's website to find our resource map.
https://panhandlehealthdistrict.org/behavioral-healthcare/opioid-use-prevention/ -map

Substance use disorder treatment. SAMHSA. (2026, July).
https://www.samhsa.gov/substance-use/treatment
National recovery month. SAMHSA. (2026, April). https://www.samhsa.gov/about/digital-toolkits/recovery-month

08/12/2026

Board of Health Meeting Thursday August 13 @ 1pm. Watch live on YouTube or attend at our Hayden office.
https://www.youtube.com/c/PanhandleHealthDistrict

08/10/2026

Preparing for Breastfeeding Before Birth

Did you know that you can access WIC benefits like healthy foods, nutrition education, and breastfeeding support as soon as you know that you’re pregnant?

Here are 3 things you can do to prepare for breastfeeding before birth:

· Talk with your doctor about breastfeeding and ask if you have any health conditions that could make it more difficult.

· Meet with a lactation consultant. WIC offers lactation support with experts like International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLCs) and peer support with breastfeeding peer counselors.

· Get a breast pump or breastfeeding supplies. WIC can help provide supplies or support with getting supplies through your health insurance.

Learn more ways that you can prepare for breastfeeding while pregnant: https://www.acog.org/womens-health/experts-and-stories/the-latest/how-to-prepare-for-breastfeeding-in-the-month-before-birth. Want to learn more about WIC? Visit www.signupwic.com/about to learn more and get connected!

08/10/2026

FREE CLASS for ALL AGES; Sagle, ID.
Brought to you by North Idaho Medical Reserve Corps Volunteers, supporting Panhandle Health's mission to Promote, Prevent, Protect.
Seats are limited:

Learn how to save lives by stopping severe bleeding at our "Stop the Bleed" and American Heart Association Hands-Only CPR Class!

08/08/2026

08/08/2026

What do you do when your community is in need? Are you a neighbor who likes to offer a helping hand? Have the desire to volunteer your time to a rewarding effort? Join North Idaho Medical Reserve Corps! No Medical Expertise Necessary! Visit www.volunteerIdaho.com
The Medical Reserve Corps Supports Panhandle Health District's Mission to Promote. Prevent. Protect.