PHD officials resign amid ongoing internal investigation

By Soncirey Mitchell
Reader Staff

The Panhandle Health District Board of Health held a special meeting Sept. 3 to accept the resignations of three top officials, including Director Erik Ketner, for yet-undisclosed reasons. Former-Chair Thomas Fletcher will serve as interim director while the district solicits applications for long-term replacements.

Ketner had served as the district’s director — overseeing public health in Boundary, Bonner, Benewah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties — since May 2024. His career with PHD began in 2001 with the Environmental and Health Protection Division, of which he later became division administrator. Without any deliberation, the board voted 5-0 to accept his resignation, along with those of Human Resources Director Sandee Riggs and Christine Crummer, the district’s financial officer of more than 25 years. 

PHD Commissioner Peggy Cuvala, representing Benewah County, abstained, while Melissa Cowles, of Shoshone County, was absent.

According to Bonner County Commissioner Ron Korn — a frequent PHD meeting attendee — there have been “at least five” such departures in the past few weeks, though he stated at the Sept. 8 BOCC meeting that he did not know “why they have decided to resign.”

Speaking on behalf of PHD, Public Information Officer Jennifer Ekizian declined to comment on the individuals’ motives and denied the Reader’s public records request, citing Idaho Code 74-106, which protects sensitive information regarding personnel.

“Further inquiries regarding reasons for resignations should be addressed with the individuals themselves,” Ekizian told the Reader. 

Neither Ketner nor Riggs responded to requests to comment by press time. Crummer could not be reached.

Though the district did not supply a reason for the resignations, Shalisha Moreno — a former youth health education specialist, communicable disease investigator and certified medical assistant for PHD — claimed on Facebook that there “is much more to the story of why the three quit and it’s not what they are spinning about change of focus.”

The Board of Health has been pushing for a renewed focus on clinical services for more than a year, advocating for increased clinic hours, diversified services, additional staff and a focus on preventative care to counter rising rates of chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes. Commissioners of Idaho’s five northern counties, which PHD serves, approved the change in June. In a statement made to the Coeur d’Alene Press, Kootenai County Commissioner Bruce Mattare suggested that such policy changes potentially caused the most recent resignations.

“There is an ongoing investigation happening that started … over six months ago,” Moreno commented on a KHQ Local News Facebook post regarding the resignations. “The Board of Health needs to be transparent with the results of the investigation that led to these resignations.”

Moreno went on to claim that PHD is investigating “wrongdoing and many complaints filed against leadership,” but did not respond to the Reader’s request for elaboration as of press time. Ekizian confirmed to the Reader that PHD is conducting “an ongoing internal review of the former PHD leadership,” but did not specify the nature of the investigation. 

“It is too early to offer any statement on findings,” she said.

After spending nearly two hours in executive session at the Sept. 3 meeting, the Board of Health voted 4-0 to appoint Fletcher to the position of interim director, with Cuvala, Cowles and Tim Bertling, of Boundary County, absent.

“We are intent on creating an environment where we can make sure that everyone feels safe and secure and can report,” stated Kootenai County PHD representative Joel Noland, following the vote. “So, given the circumstances, this is an immediate solution, and then we’re going to be working on it going forward. This is our current solution.”

PHD will launch a nationwide search for a director “immediately,” according to Ekizian, but in the meantime does not anticipate that the resignations will affect regular operations.

“The other two positions are being evaluated separately,” said Ekizian. “At this time, the responsibilities of those positions are being supported by existing teams, and are adequately staffed to maintain operations in the interim.”

The Board of Health will hold its regular monthly meeting Thursday, Sept. 10 at 1 p.m. at the district’s headquarters in Hayden (8500 North Atlas Way). The public can attend in person or online by visiting panhandlehealthdistrict.org/board-of-health and choosing the relevant agenda. All meetings are livestreamed via the district’s YouTube page and can therefore be streamed at any time.

Among other agenda items, the board is slated to discuss a “forensic audit of Panhandle Health District finances” and “best practices” following the financial officer’s and director’s resignations.

“Panhandle Health District operates with a robust staff of individuals dedicated to serving the five counties of North Idaho,” stated Ekizian. “These employees are our neighbors, friends and family. They care intensely for the greater good of the residents of North Idaho and put their hearts into their careers.”

“We hope that the work of the many who are doing the best for our community is not being diluted by the few who decided to walk away,” she added. “We recognize the hard work and commitment of our staff who continue to serve the public with integrity.”