The Elkhart County Health Department began in 1949. The first staff included a part-time Health Commissioner, Public Health Nurses who visited schools and homes, Sanitarians who inspected restaurants and dairy farms, plus Vital Record Clerks who kept birth and death records. Today, the department consists of over 100 people, including 70 full-time employees, who work in five divisions. The Health Department offers services to all county residents with a vision of “Healthy Lives, Healthy Communities.” Please visit and follow our Health Department Facebook page for updated news and announcements.