Clark County Health Department Welcomes New Administrator
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By Emily Bontrager
The Clark County Health Department is entering a new chapter in leadership as longtime employee and registered nurse Audrie Howe steps into the role of Administrator. Howe officially assumed the position on November 1, following the retirement of Evelena Sutterfield, who served in the position for nearly 30 years.
Howe is no stranger to the area or the health department. She lives south of Kahoka with her husband, and they have three children. A Clark County native, she grew up in the community and graduated from Wyaconda High School in 1997.
After high school, Howe earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Missouri Western in 2001. She worked in Kansas City as a customer service coordinator and later became a stay-at-home mother. The family returned to Clark County in 2008, and Howe decided to pursue a different career path.
“I never thought I could work in healthcare, but after having kids and going through that whole experience, I thought that was something I would like to do,” she said.
Howe attended Southeastern Community College, earning her associate’s degree in nursing in 2012. She briefly worked night shifts at Scotland County Hospital before deciding the schedule was not ideal for her family. Around that time, she purchased Flowers For You, a local flower shop which she operated for several years.
In 2015, Howe joined the Clark County Health Department part-time as a public health nurse. Over time, she transitioned to full-time work and eventually became the Home Health Clinical Supervisor, a position she has held for the past four years.
Over the last six months, Howe has trained closely with Sutterfield to prepare for the administrator role.
“There’s a lot to learn. A lot of things are quarterly or annually, and it’s a lot to take in,” Howe said. “In home health, I was in my own little world. Moving up into this position, you have to look at the whole office.”
As Administrator, Howe will oversee scheduling, budgeting, board meetings, state contracts, and day-to-day operations. She said one of the biggest adjustments will be managing staff schedules and ensuring all divisions of the department, from clinic services to home health, work together smoothly.
The health department offers a wide range of services many residents may not realize are available locally.
“We do blood draws, hemoglobin and blood sugar checks, pregnancy tests, STD testing, women’s wellness clinics, immunizations, WIC, home health,” Howe said. “We also work with an emergency planner who handles things like dog bites and sewer complaints. There are a lot of programs we provide.”
Looking ahead, Howe hopes to strengthen community engagement and rebuild trust.
“COVID scared a lot of people away from immunizations and services,” she said. “We’re here for the community. We want to help people and not hinder the health of the county.”
Stepping into her new leadership role comes with a mix of emotions.
“I’m excited and nervous,” Howe admitted.
She expressed appreciation for Sutterfield and for the support of her staff throughout the transition.
“I’d like to thank Evelena for her years of being here and training me, and for pushing me to take over her spot,” Howe said. “She has been very helpful in making this transition easier. And I hope the staff gives me a little bit of grace as we move forward,” she added with a laugh. “I think we have a good working relationship here, and I hope they feel like they can come to me with any problems or issues.”
As Howe settles into her new role, she said her goal is to continue the department’s long-standing commitment to providing accessible public health services in Clark County. She hopes to maintain stability while also identifying ways to improve outreach and ensure residents know help is available close to home.
