Helping People Live Healthier

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency is an accredited public health department serving the residents of Branch, Hillsdale, and St. Joseph counties in Michigan. We serve more than 153,000 residents across 31 communities, providing prevention, wellness, education, and disease prevention.

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    Mission

    Helping people live healthier.

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    Vision

    To be the trusted health resource for all people.

Committed to Excellence

Our agency serves three counties, 1,604 square miles, 31 communities, and 153,000 residents. The agency is lead by the Board ofHealth, comprised of two county commissioners from each county. The Health Officer is responsible for the operation of the agency. The Health Officer is supported by the Medical Director, a local physician, who advises the agency regarding issues of public health and disease prevention.

Four Division Directors are responsible for program planning, policy development, and staff training. Five supervisors ensure that staff are supported in carrying out the requirements of the programs and services we provide. Sixty-seven talented team members ensure that each individual receives the high quality services that are expected.

Our staff is committed to our mission and vision, desiring to make our communities safe and providing services to support optimal community health.

Administration

  • Rebecca Burns, MPH, RS, Health Officer
  • Karen Luparello, DO, MPH, Medical Director
  • Theresa Fisher, BS, Administrative Services Director
  • Joseph Frazier, REHS, Environmental Health Director
  • Heidi Hazel, BSN, RN, Personal Health and Disease Prevention Director
  • Laura Sutter BS, Area Agency on Aging 3C Director

Rebecca Burns

Rebecca A. Burns, MPH, RS
Health Officer
burnsr@bhsj.org(opens in new tab)
517-279-9561(opens in new tab) ext. 148

Meet the Board of Health

Meet the dedicated leaders who help guide the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency in its mission to protect, promote, and improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve.

Brent Leininger

Brent Leininger

Commissioner, Chair
Hillsdale County
Rick Shaffer

Rick Shaffer

Commissioner, Vice-Chair
St.Joseph County
Kevin Collins

Kevin Collins

Commissioner
Hillsdale County
Tim Stoll

Tim Stoll

Commissioner
Branch County
Jared Hoffmaster

Jared Hoffmaster

Commissioner
St. Joseph County
Jon Houtz

Jon Houtz

Commissioner
Branch County

Meeting Materials, Minutes, and Videos

*To request archived board meeting materials, minutes, videos, or schedules, please do not hesitate to call with your request at 517-279-9561.

2026-08-27 BOH 2026-08-27 BOH 2026-08-27 BOH Video
2026-08-19 BOH PPA Committee 2026-08-19 BOH PPA Committee 2026-08-19 BOH PPA Committee Video
2026-08-17 BOH Finance Committee 2026-08-17 BOH Finance Committee 2026-08-17 BOH Finance Committee Video
2026-07-23 BOH 2026-07-23 BOH 2026-07-23 BOH Video
2026-07-20 BOH Finance Committee 2026-07-20 BOH Finance Committee
2026-07-15 BOH PPA Committee 2026-07-15 BOH PPA Committee 2026-07-15 BOH PPA Committee Video
2026-06-25 BOH 2026-06-25 BOH 2026-06-25 BOH Video
2026-06-15 BOH Finance Committee 2026-06-15 BOH Finance Committee 2026-06-15 BOH Finance Committee Video
2026-05-28 BOH 2026-05-28 BOH 2026-05-28 BOH Video
2026-05-20 BOH PPA Committee 2026-05-20 BOH PPA Committee 2026-05-20 BOH PPA Committee Video
2026-05-15 BOH Finance Committee 2026-05-18 BOH Finance Committee
2026-04-23 BOH 2026-04-23 BOH 2026-04-23 BOH Video
2026-04-20 BOH Finance Committee 2026-04-20 BOH Finance Committee 2026-03-26 Finance Committee Video
2026-03-26 BOH 2026-03-26 BOH 2026-03-26 BOH Video
2026-03-18 BOH PPA Committee 2026-03-18 BOH PPA Committee 2026-03-18 BOH PPA Committee Video
2026-03-16 BOH Finance Committee 2026-03-16 BOH Finance Committee 2026-03-16 Finance Committee Video
2026-02-26 BOH 2026-02-26 BOH 2026-02-26 BOH Video
2026-02-18 BOH PPA Committee 2026-02-18 BOH PPA Committee 2026-02-18 BOH PPA Committee Video
2026-02-13 BOH Finance Committee 2026-02-13 BOH Finance Committee 2026-02-13 Finance Committee Video
2026-01-22 BOH 2026-01-22 BOH 2026-01-22 BOH Video