A smile behind the mask - Nancy Marihugh

Originally from Lincoln County Kansas, Nancy Marihugh, Jewell County's health administrator, has lived in Jewell County since 2005. She currently resides in Esbon.

Marihugh graduated from Lincoln High School. She then went on to study criminal justice with a minor in sociology at Wichita State University. Marihugh attended Cloud County Community College where she received her degree in nursing. She has worked in the nursing field for 25 years.

Marihugh met her husband of 14 years online. She has two sons, a daughter, and two step-daughters. She also has a dog.

Because of COVID, Marihugh claims that right now she doesn't have any hobbies. However, before COVID, Marihugh enjoyed visiting her son, wakeboarding and skiing.

COVID has made it so Marihugh has hardly had a day off in the last year. It has also made it so she can't travel or have a vacation and she doesn't get to have a lot of time with her family.

Marihugh chose to live in Esbon because her husband has family there. Her favorite parts of living and working in our small community is there is little to no traffic, the friendly people and the ability to get to know the neighbors.

Before she started working for the Jewell County Health Department, Marihugh worked at Salina Regional Health Center, Jewell County Hospital and Brodstone Memorial Hospital.

Responsibilities Marihugh has at the Jewell County Health Department include: keeping the plans for emergency preparedness up to date, vaccinations, WIC, immunizations for school, vaccines for children, managing home health, and grant applications.

The hardest part of Marihugh's job is the pandemic."I'm enjoying the people and working with the public," Marihugh said when asked what she enjoys most about her job.

Marihugh is inspired by her family, church and co-workers."My staff is wonderful," she said. "They have stepped up to the plate during this pandemic. They are rockstars."

Marihugh said Jewell County residents have been given more than 550 prime doses of the COVID vaccine which is 19 percent of the population.

The Jewell County Health Department recently moved from the courthouse basement to the former clinic building on East Main Street. Marihugh said they are all enjoying their new location.