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The Wichita Falls Wichita County Public Health District

The generally flat terrain in this corner of the Lone Star State — about 140 miles south of Oklahoma City and 100 miles northeast of Dallas — consists of prairies and plains populated by mesquite , skeet-brush and native grasses . The Wichita River , which winds through the downtown area on its way to meet the Red River , is known to overflow its banks during the intense thunderstorms that arise during the spring and summer storm season . One such deluge even destroyed the city ’ s eponymous waterfall in 1886 . ( The fall has since been rebuilt adjacent to the river ).

While the city of Wichita Falls is 70 square miles , the Wichita Falls – Wichita County Public Health District serves a greater metropolitan area comprising 2,675 square miles and three counties : Wichita Falls County and its rural neighbors , Archer and Clay Counties .

The tri-county area is known for its searing summers , celebrated by the Hotter ’ N Hell Hundred , a 100-mile bicycle race that is staged in August — when it is usually 100 degrees or more — and open to hardy amateur and professional riders alike . Don ’ t say the locals don ’ t have a wry sense of humor .

David Chattin , the day-to-day head of the health district ’ s public health laboratory , said the major environmental health risks here are floodcontaminated water , tornadoes , the occasional case of rabies and West Nile virus borne by mosquitoes that are present much of the year . “ The hot topic right now ,” he said , “ is Zika virus .” Chattin has been serving as a technical consultant to area healthcare providers to explain “ what we can and can ’ t test for , what type of samples to collect and the proper test for symptoms they see .”

He said , “ We ’ re a small laboratory , but what we do touches every aspect of the community . . . . We reach a part of the community that ’ s underserved in terms of healthcare ; a part of society that ’ s high risk . It is very fulfilling to give them high-quality health services .”

Facility

The laboratory is in the health district ’ s 1940s-era building in downtown Wichita Falls , not far from the Wichita River and river trail . The single-story , beige brick structure has had several additions over the years , but the laboratory occupies part of the original space . It is conveniently located next to the district ’ s environmental health program , which supplies a portion of the laboratory ’ s testing samples .

Staff

The laboratory has 2.5 positions : two full-time laboratory technicians and a part-time clerk . As the senior laboratory technician , Chattin also serves as the de facto day-to-day laboratory manager and general jack-of-all-trades . In addition to bench work , he oversees the lab ’ s information system , deals with customers and regulatory officials and even draws patient blood specimens when the phlebotomist encounters a “ hard draw .”

Currently , Chattin is the only technician on staff , as the second position is vacant . All laboratory staff report to the assistant director of health .

We reach a part of the community that ’ s underserved in terms of healthcare ; a part of society that ’ s high risk . It is very fulfilling to give them high-quality health services

Lab Manager

Chattin was born in Salt Lake City , UT , and reared in Boise , ID . After graduating from high school , he joined the US Air Force and was assigned to work in the clinical laboratory . Said Chattin , “ By the luck of the draw , I got a job that I really love , which is fortunate because you don ’ t have a choice to change if you don ’ t like what you get .” While working in the military , Chattin took courses part-time from Trident University , ultimately earning a BS in health science . During this time he also met his wife , who is currently stationed at Sheppard Air Base . Among his Air Force assignments , Chattin deployed to Iraq in 2009 and spent time stateside in Las Vegas , San Antonio and Wichita Falls — his last deployment after ten years of service .

Revenue

The laboratory has an annual budget of nearly $ 200,000 , which comes mostly from city funds . Water testing for private individuals and businesses brings in about $ 33,000 / year .

Testing

The Health District Laboratory processes about 9,200 clinical samples annually . The highest volume tests are for sexually transmitted infections , with most specimens drawn from clients who visit the health department ’ s four-day / week clinic , just down the hall from the laboratory , or from the weekly clinic at the local correctional facility . “ Within 15 minutes ,” said Chattin , “ we can get a presumptive diagnosis for gonorrhea , trichomonas or bacterial vaginosis , so [ health department ] patients can get their prescriptions right away .” Tests for HIV , herpes and hepatitis are sent off-site for testing .