Managing the process of consolidation: A practical guide from a health commissioner's perspective and lived experience

The proposed combining of three health departments in Northeast Ohio provided the health commissioner and his staff a unique opportunity to shape the public health system. After a feasibility study determined that consolidation was a viable option, Summit County Health District initiated a comprehensive strategic plan that included an internal assessment of capacity. Although the commissioned feasibility study identified areas to consider, the details of how to manage the process was not included. The purpose of this session is to discuss not only how to plan for and manage the process of consolidation, but also the lessons learned from both a managerial and organizational perspective. Although the management issues are universal to most organizations, these pragmatic issues within the context of consolidations in local public health departments is newer territory and to our knowledge, there is limited research that has documented this process for local public health departments. The presenter will share strategies about how to translate the results of the feasibility study into concrete organizational changes including the development of a mission and new strategic plan founded upon the modern vision of public health. The session will discuss how to ensure and manage transparency, trust and communication in the organization while maintaining business as usual for the community the organization serves. It will conclude with the challenges and successes of the process and outline the steps the organization has taken in preparation for their application for national accreditation including a third party evaluation to document the post-consolidation impacts.