The primary role of the Ben Hill County Board of Health is to assess the needs of the community, provide policy guidance, and exercise general oversight of Ben Hill County Health Department, while leaving the day to day management and operational control of the health department to the District Health Director.
Each board of health is comprised of seven community members who have been appointed to serve on the board. Four positions are appointed by the county’s chief executive officer: 1 – county’s chief executive officer or designee; 2 – licensed physician actively practicing in the county; 3 – consumer or advocate for consumers of health services; and 4 – consumer who will represent the needy, underprivileged or elderly. The fifth position is held by the county’s superintendent of schools or designee. The last two positions are appointed by the governing authority of the largest municipality of the county: 1 – city’s chief executive officer or designee; and 2 – consumer or licensed nurse interested in promoting public health.
The following community members make up the Ben Hill County Board of Health.

Mark J. Eanes, MD, MBA
District Health Director

Daniel Cowan
Chairman
CEO of County
Term Expires: Serves while in office

Mayor John Holt
Vice-Chairman
CEO of largest city
Term Expires: Serves while in office

Thelma Graham
Secretary
Consumer Advocate
Term Expires: December 31, 2028

Steve Hardin
County School Superintendent
Term Expires: Serves while in office

Katie Petrie, NP
physician (dentist or Nurse)
Term Expires: December 31, 2031

Susan Smith
Consumer or Licensed Nurse
Term Expires: December 31, 2028

Tolisa Smith
Advocate for Needy, Underprivileged or Elderly
Term Expires: December 31, 2029
Mark J. Eanes, MD, MBA – District Health Director
Daniel Cowan (Chairman) – CEO of County
Heath Parrish (Vice-Chairman) – Physician (Dentist or Nurse)
Thelma Graham (Secretary) – Consumer Advocate
Mayor Jason Holt – CEO of Largest City
Susan Smith – Consumer or Licensed Nurse
Dawn Clements – County School Superintendent (Interim)
Tolisa Smith – Advocate for the Needy, Underprivileged or Elderly