Kwalick to replace Ravenholt as Health District chief

Art Nadler

Friday, April 24, 1998 | 11:15 a.m.

Dr. Donald Kwalick will become chief health officer of the Clark County Health District next month, replacing Dr. Otto Ravenholt, who has held the position for 35 years.

Kwalick, who formerly was the state health officer for six years, has been working side by side with Ravenholt over the last year. He officially takes charge May 9.

"Las Vegas is a very unique city with all the growth," Kwalick said today. "We'll be looking at air pollution, childhood immunization (programs) and good oral health programs."

Kwalick said only about 73 percent of children between the ages of 2 and 5 are receiving childhood immunization shots. His goal is to raise that to at least 90 percent by the year 2000.

The immunizations are free, Kwalick said, and are offered at the Health District, 625 Shadow Lane, and at various satellite sites throughout Southern Nevada. He said the Health District also works with various professional organizations, including the Clark County School District, in making sure children receive proper vaccinations.

Affordable dental care will also be a high priority, as it has been for several years under Ravenholt's administration, Kwalick said. Estimates, he added, suggest that between 30,000 and 50,000 children in Clark County receive no oral health care at all.

"Dr. Kwalick is a veteran public health professional," David Rowles, director of administrative services with the Health District, said. "He has a tremendous energy and is responsive to the citizens."

Rowles said the Health District started searching for a new chief health officer 4 1/2 years ago when Ravenholt said he was retiring. Only two candidates came close to their narrow scrutiny.

"By far, Dr. Kwalick was head and shoulders above the other candidates," Rowles said. "He had experience in environmental health and emergency medical services (EMS)."

Unlike other health departments across the country, the Clark County chief health officer is also the medical director of the EMS in Southern Nevada, Rowles said. This includes all ambulatory services.

Prior to coming to Nevada, Kwalick was the county health officer in Tampa for 11 years and associate commissioner of health for New Jersey for 10 years.