Barry Pabst replaced Linda Viebrock as the new director of the Benton County Health Department as of May 1, 2024. Viebrock, who has worked for the BCHD since 1975, has retired.
Pabst came to the BCHD on July 16, 2013, as the Environmental Public Health Specialist transitioning to Public Health Director in April of 2019. As Administrator, Pabst is responsible for all aspects and functions of managing the Health Department, including its many programs, staff and community relations. These responsibilities also include business control, as well as strategic planning, fiscal management, emergency planning and policy management. Some of his duties include serving as the Custodian of Records, County Health Officer and Local Registrar.
Pabst is a 2005 Cole Camp High School graduate and earned a Bachelor’s Degree (2010) and Master’s Degree (2013) from the University of Central Missouri, and a Graduate Certificate in Public Health Workforce Preparedness (2024) from A.T. Still University of Health Sciences. In his spare time, he enjoys hunting and fishing.
Pabst lives just outside of Cole Camp and is excited about his new role at the Health Department.
“Since I have been working at BCHD since 2013, I had a good idea about how the department was run but I am learning about the many details involved in being the administrator,” said Pabst.
Pabst is in charge of 39 employees which includes nurses, clerical staff, social workers and other personnel. While BCHD does have a walk-in facility at 1238 Commercial Street in Warsaw, the nurses and other home health workers also make in-home visits to help those who are unable to travel to the clinic.
Benton County Health Department Home Health Agency serves citizens in the following cities: Auxvasse, Calhoun, Climax Springs, Clinton, Cole Camp, Cross Timbers, Deepwater, Edwards, Emma, Green Ridge, Ionia, Lincoln, Mora, Pittsburg, Roach, Sedalia, Smithton, Stover, Versailles, Warsaw and Windsor.
BCHD Home Health Agency is a Medicare Certified Home Health Agency. BCHDHHA is certified by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and they provide medical services to patients in the comfort of their own home. BCHD can be contacted at (660) 438-2876.
Home Health Agencies are one of the Medicare certified provider types who participate in the CMS Quality initiatives in order to accept Medicare for payment.
The services provided by Benton County Health Department Home Health Agency may include Home Health Aide Training, Home Health Aides, Medical Social Services, Nursing, Nutritional Guidance, Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy.
Linda Viebrock retired from the Benton County Health Department just short of 50 years of service. Viebrock was one of the original employees who began what is now known as the Benton County Health Department.
The Health Department began as a demonstration unit to promote the establishment of a public health department. In 1993, Viebrock was promoted to Administrator. In addition to Public Health and Environmental services, other services have been added over the years to cover the county from birth to death, including WIC, Home Health, In-Home Services and Hospice. Under Viebrock’s direction, these programs have grown and received many state and nationwide awards.
BCHD offers everything from vaccinations to copies of birth certificates. Check out BCHD for all health-related concerns.
