The Ford-Iroquois Public Health Board has a new member. But Doug Corbett is out as administrator.

Following a lengthy meeting, including two executive sessions, that ran into the early-morning hours today (Wed) in Gilman,the health board voted 5-3 to buy out the contract of Corbett.

Corbett's position had been under fire for weeks and had divided the Ford and Iroquois County Boards. Terms of the buy-out are yet to be arranged. Corbett's contract was set to expire in November.

The 5-3 buy-out vote saw health department board president Dr. Kevin Brucker and the Iroquois County members of the health board voting in favor of the buy-out. The remaining members of the Ford County make-up of the health board voted against.

A retired surgeon from Effingham County has been appointed to fill a vacancy on the Ford-Iroquois health board. Dr. Ted Fifer, who had an 18-year career and an association with St Anthony's Medical Center in Effingham, took his seat for the health board meeting Tuesday night. Fifer's appointment was approved following an executive session at a special Iroquois County Board meeting Tuesday afternoon.

Fifer said he was asked to get involved in the health department here by County Board Chairman Rod Copas. Fifer said he has no other connections to Iroquois County other than the fact, he was asked to help out.

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