Garrett County Health Department Celebrates Milestone Achievements, Recognizing 30 Years of Dedicated Public Health Service

By Joshua Ward, HR Specialist Trainee

“It’s easy to find passion in a job when it smiles back at you,” said an anonymous responder in a recent Garrett County Health Department employee satisfaction survey.

These words echo loudly as the Garrett County Health Department (GCHD) acknowledges the milestone achievements of three team members celebrating 30 years of public health service.

“Thirty years is a long time to work for one employer,” said Garrett County Health Officer Jennifer Hare. “This achievement shows the dedication of these employees to improve the health of the citizens and visitors of Garrett County.”

Eric Cvetnick is a Registered Nurse currently serving as Community Health Nurse Supervisor in Personal Health.

“Eric has consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication, work ethic, and deep understanding of public health,” said Jessica Carey, Personal Health Director. “His expertise in managing communicable disease prevention and control for our community has had a profound impact. His extensive knowledge has been instrumental in keeping our community healthy for over 30 years. His remarkable contributions have earned him the respect and admiration of both colleagues and community members.”

Most of Linda Bolding-Colaw’s years at the Health Department have been spent serving as a Certified Associate Counselor – Alcohol and Drug, and as a Substance Abuse Treatment Specialist, through a cooperative agreement between the Health Department and the Department of Social Services (DSS).

“Linda has dedicated 30 years of service to our agency, witnessing significant transformations in the behavioral health and addiction landscape,” said Jennifer Brenneman, Director of Behavioral Health. “Her extensive experience makes her an invaluable resource for her colleagues, and she consistently demonstrates a strong commitment to providing the best possible support to her clients. Her position, a collaborative effort with the Department of Social Services, has been instrumental in reaching individuals in need of services within our community.”

“Linda is a critical component in the partnership between GCHD and DSS,” said Alicia Streets, Director of Garrett County DSS. “She provides screening, assessment, and referral to treatment for cases referred internally by child welfare and family investment which allows immediate case management and assistance for those battling substance use. Linda’s care for her clients and her collaborative approach in all areas have made this partnership a success. She is respected and appreciated and has made a big impact on the outcomes for families in our program.”

Starting as a young Sanitarian Trainee in 1993, Craig Umbel developed a wide range of knowledge and contributed to Garrett County’s growth over his three decades of service.  

“Craig’s extensive field work, combined with his understanding of departmental operations makes him a significant and invaluable asset to the organization,” said Kris DeWitt, Administrative Aide in Environmental Health. “Now, as the Director, he is committed to mentoring his young staff, ensuring they develop the same wide range of experience. Ultimately, he’s committed to the department’s advancement and continuance of exceptional service to the community.”

For more information about public health or what the Garrett County Health Department does to protect the health of residents and visitors of Garrett County, visit garretthealth.org or call the health department at 301-334-7777.

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Featured above, from left to right are (first picture) Eric Cvetnick, Community Health Nurse Supervisor, and Jennifer Hare, Garrett County Health Officer, (second picture) Hare, and Linda Bolding-Colaw, Certified Associate Counselor – Alcohol and Drug and Substance Abuse Treatment Specialist, and (third picture) Craig P. Umbel, Director of the Environmental Health Services Unit, and Hare.