The Columbiana County Health District has been presented with the Ohio Department of Health Director's Award for their ongoing response to the East Palestine train derailment. 

Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff commended the district and its staff, and presented the award to Health Commissioner Dr. Wesley J. Vins at this year's Ohio Public Health Conference. 

The Health District has been involved in the response following the train derailment, including the development and implementation of the potable water sampling plan that informs sampling for private water wells in the area and allows the opportunity for residents to have their water co-sampled by the Health District and Norfolk Southern at no cost. 

The ongoing sampling program has provided a total of 442 sets of final sample results to date. 

The Health District led state and federal partners in opening and operating the temporary Health Assessment Clinic at First Church of Christ in East Palestine. This free clinic provided residents who had health questions or concerns related to the derailment the opportunity to speak with medical and mental health professionals.

The clinic was open for 28 days and served 338 individuals. The Columbiana County Health District also initiated the establishment of the permanent Health Clinic located in East Palestine which is now operated by East Liverpool City Hospital and continues to serve residents with derailment related health concerns free of charge.

The Columbiana County Health District was established in 1919 and achieved national accreditation form the Public Health Accreditation Board in 2022.