The face of the Berrien County Health Department all through the pandemic, and for the last four years, announced her departure from the department this morning as she transitions to a new role with Spectrum Health Lakeland next month.
Nicki Britten has informed the Berrien County Board of Commissioners Personnel and Human Services Committee that she will be leaving her role as Berrien County Health Officer effective July 9th as she heads into her new role as Director of Population Health at Spectrum Health Lakeland.
As a result, the committee has advised that a new interim Health Officer be appointed, after the Britten’s departure. The full Board of Commissioners anticipates approving current Deputy Health Officer, Courtney Davis, to step in to serve as interim Health Officer in early July, while the County conducts a formal hiring process to fill the position permanently.
Britten has served as Health Officer for the Berrien County Health Department since January of 2017, but has spent twelve years at the department, providing leadership during several public health crises, all while continuously striving towards improving health outcomes for all residents.
Berrien County Board of Health Chair, Peg Kohring, says, “Nicki showed tremendous strength in leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic for the ultimate benefit of the health and safety of our communities,” and adds, “We sincerely thank her for the many years of service she dedicated to this department and wish her the best in her pursuit of new opportunities.”
Stepping into the role on an interim basis, current Deputy Health Officer Courtney Davis has been with the department since July of 2017. She has more than fifteen years of public health education and experience, with a Master’s degree in Public Health from the University of Michigan, and experience at the Kalamazoo County Health Department prior to coming to Berrien County. Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, Davis proved to be a resilient and effective leader, particularly during the COVID-19 vaccine rollout this year.
Berrien County Commissioner and Personnel and Human Services Committee Chair, Bob Harrison, adds, “Courtney is a trusted leader who has the confidence of the Board of Commissioners and is certainly prepared to serve as interim during the search for a new Health Officer,” and adds, “This change in leadership will not impact the department’s ability to continue providing exceptional service to the people of Berrien County moving into the future. We are thankful to Ms. Britten for her many years of leadership and wish her the best in her next chapter.”
