Erie County Times

The Erie County Department of Health (ECDH) has a new director, with Erin Mrenak taking the reins as approved by County Executive Brenton Davis, the Erie County Board of Health and the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Mrenak should roll seamlessly into the role, as she has been serving as the interim director since Jan. 3, according to a release by the ECDH on March 1. Prior to this she was the department’s deputy director. She will lead the ECDH 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.

“Erie County is fortunate to have Erin as the new Director of the Department of Health,” said Davis. “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 was the Director of Addiction Treatment Services at Stairways Behavioral Health before coming to the ECDH. She graduated from Allegheny College and earned a bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience and Psychology and Gannon University. She also earned a master’s degree in Public Administration.

The department has a full accreditation from the Public Health Accreditation Board and has “Child and Family Health” programs including nurse home visits, infant immunizations and child health guidance. This is available for families during pregnancy and young children. It also offers assistance in quitting smoking for those with babies.

The ECDH collaborates with community partners about topics like nutritious food access, preventing diseases like Lyme disease and swimming advisories at the local beaches. 

There are also classes on a variety of topics year-round, including topics like food safety, driving safety, health education for refugees, independence and balance for elderly, disposing of medication and more. There are also free classes and support programs for quitting tobacco.

The ECDH also has an environmental health division for safety and sanitation of foodborne and water borne illnesses, which works with restaurants, food trucks and fairs. It also inspects and issues licenses for body art businesses, campgrounds, beaches, sewage systems and home parks.