VanNess is Madison County's new health officer

Feb. 9—ANDERSON — Dr. William VanNess has been in the health care industry since he was five years old.

His father was a doctor who had an office in the family's Summitville home.

"Back then, there was no emergency room," he said. "If somebody was having a stroke or a heart attack or an injury, they were knocking on our door."

VanNess would go on to become a practicing physician, a hospital CEO and commissioner for the Indiana Department of Health.

Most recently, VanNess was appointed to replace Dr. Steven Wright as Madison County's health officer — first by the Madison County Board of Health and then by the Madison County commissioners — last month.

Almost a month later, VanNess said he is enjoying his role. He hopes to have an office inside the health department soon.

VanNess will oversee administrator Stephenie Mellinger and the Madison County Health Department, which for him is more like collaboration.

He will also be in charge of signing all birth, death and immunization records in the county.

VanNess will serve a four-year term but could be appointed again by the board. Dr. Wright, VanNess' predecessor, served roughly 14 years.

He and Mellinger have known each other a long time. She first met him when he was CEO of Community Hospital Anderson, a position he held from 1998 until his retirement in 2012.

Since his appointment, the two have had time to discuss their vision and priorities for the department. Both said they are in agreement.

Follow Caleb Amick on Twitter @AmickCaleb. Contact him at [email protected] or 765-648-4254.