July 1, 2023

By Kindle Biermann
Public Information Officer

Multiple changes are underway in Jackson County! The Jackson County Health Department has moved to a new location and will now be known as Jackson County Public Health (JCPH).

After 89 years of service based in Independence, JCPH has relocated to Lee’s Summit. Conveniently located off I-470 and Woods Chapel Road, 3651 NE Ralph Powell Road is now our new address.

This new, more centralized location allows our department to offer the same great services to the residents of Eastern Jackson County in a more accessible setting. Our new building also provides a new home for Jackson County’s Environmental Health department and WIC program, bringing all three county divisions under the same roof for the first time.

Our new location offers a number of improvements for our clients:

• Expanded waiting and registration areas
• Lactation rooms for nursing mothers
• Two large public meeting spaces
• A higher number of modern clinical rooms that are ADA compliant (11 rooms vs. 5)

“We’re excited about this move as it signifies our commitment to the residents of Jackson County,” says Bridgette Shaffer, Health Director at JCPH. “The new space will ensure residents experience modern and quality facilities that match the level of superior customer service we have provided for nearly 98 years.”

Jackson County Public Health provides health services to over 379,000 residents in Eastern Jackson County, serving the parts of our county outside of Kansas City and Independence.

Since the city of Independence re-established their own health department during the pandemic, our move to Lee’s Summit allows us to more effectively provide services to residents within our jurisdiction.

Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. led efforts to acquire the building in 2021, with support of the county legislature, to demonstrate the county’s commitment to enhancing public health services within its boundaries. The remodeled facility, boasting cutting-edge technology, reflects the growth, resilience and dynamic health landscape of Jackson County. This accomplishment aligns with Executive White’s aspiration of building a better and more equitable community.

“For far too long we have undervalued the significance of public health, but today, I take immense pride in declaring that this is no longer the reality,” said Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. “The County’s multi-million dollar investment ensures that everyone has equal access to the care they require in a setting that is convenient, supportive, and purposefully designed. In fostering a sense of unity and inclusivity, we hope to empower all residents to actively engage in their own health and contribute to the overall well-being of our community.”

We’ll continue to offer the same great services at our new location, including:

• Routine vaccinations for all ages
• Tuberculosis (TB) skin tests
• HIV & STI testing and treatment
• Free COVID-19 and flu testing
• Daycare, preschool, and pre-employment physicals
• Vital records services (birth and death certificates)
In addition to moving, we have also rebranded ourselves as Jackson County Public Health, introducing a modern logo designed by our Communications team.

Our previous logo was difficult to read or recognize. As our online communications have grown, we feel that it’s more important than ever for us to make ourselves easily identifiable as a reliable source of information for our community. Our change in name also better reflects the wide range of services, initiatives, and programs that we offer.

We envision a community where all people can live their healthiest lives. That vision starts with establishing a physical and digital presence that best matches our mission and the needs of our community.