JasCoFlu is a project of the Jasper County, Missouri Pandemic Influenza Planning Committee.

Pandemic Planning Committee

In an effort to prepare for flu pandemic events, the City of Joplin Health Department and Jasper County Health Department, in cooperation with various state and local organizations came together to develop The Joplin-Jasper County Pandemic Influenza Emergency Plan.

On 5 October 2006, the two health departments sponsored an initial meeting to introduce this plan and receive input from various representatives from this community. As a result, the Pandemic Planning Coordinating Committee was formed. The group has since then evolved into what is now called the Medical Sub-Committee, with members representing various organizations in the community. It is dedicated to increasing public awareness and focusing on a variety of community health emergency preparedness efforts. Meeting are held every month.

The committee members include:

Dan Pekarek, Director, Joplin Health Dept
Tony Moehr, Director, Jasper County Health Dept
Dr. Mark Baker, Carthage R-9 Schools
Teri Koch, McCune Brooks Regional Hospital
Patti Boman, Freeman Health System
Denise Dugan, St. John's Regional Medical Center
Donna Stokes, St. John's Regional Medical Center
Kim Stross, St. John's Regional Medical Center
John Joines, Economic Security Corp.
Debbie Markman, Economic Security Corp.
Debbie Kenny, Joplin Ministerial Alliance
Steve Patterson, Spring River Baptist Association
Mac McKeough, Joplin Health Dept.
Ryan Talken, Joplin Health Dept.
Joseph Njenga, Joplin Health Dept.
Becky Heffren, Empire District Electric
Tina Montez, Empire District Electric
George Thullesen, Empire District Electric
Walta Moore, Area Agency on Aging
Lynn Onstot, City of Joplin
Keith Stammer, Joplin/Jasper Co. Emergency Mgmt.
Lisa Olliges, KOAM TV
Anita Singleton, UMKC/MSSU
John Hacker, Carthage Press