This post was provided by News Now Warsaw
By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw
WARSAW — Kurt Carlson, who served as the executive director for Bowen Center for nearly four decades, was terminated immediately last week by Kosciusko County in his role as coordinator of Health First Kosciusko after 14 months in the position.
Carlson was informed of his termination on Thursday with a hand-delivered letter in which he was told the county and health Department determined that he lacked “a philosophical alignment” with the county in the administration of funds and services.
The letter was written by county attorney Ed Ormsby.
Carlson was instructed to clean out his office by the end of the day and return all county property.
The letter added, “Since you are an at-will employee of the county, no cause is required for this termination.
The letter added, “We understand that this news may be difficult, and we want to thank you for your contributions during your time here.”
News Now Warsaw reached out to Cary Groninger, president of the county commissioners and Bob Weaver, county health administrator. for comment. Weaver referred any questions to the commissioners for comment and Groninger did not return a phone call on Monday.
Carlson did not return a call on Monday.
Weaver did confirm that Liz McCollough, an assistant administrator in the office, will serve as interim.
Carson retired from Bowen Center — now known as Bowen Health — in 2022 and is credited with expanding services throughout northeast Indiana over several decades.
He also played a key role in the county’s establishment of testing and vaccinations during the pandemic.
Health First Indiana was established about three years ago and heralded by then-Gov. Eric Holcomb, with the goal of vastly increasing health care programs through county health offices.
The Health First Kosciusko budget, under state guidelines, grew from roughly $900,000 in the first year to $1.8 million in the second year.
Carlson led an expansion of health services with the funding in his role.
The office relies on approval and support from an advisory committee and the county health board.
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