Kathy Helmuth
Health Assurance Nurse Director, Richland County Health Department
For more than three decades, Kathy Helmuth has quietly and consistently been a driving force in promoting public health across Richland County. As Health Assurance Nurse Director at the Richland County Health Department, Kathy’s title barely captures the full scope of her work or her impact.
At the heart of her professional contributions is her role as Director of the county immunization program. From vaccine planning and ordering to implementation and administration, Kathy is hands-on at every step. Her leadership has been especially vital in high-pressure situations, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and more recent measles outbreaks. As a core member of the Epidemiology and Incident Command teams, Kathy’s guidance helped steer the county’s successful public health response.
Kathy is the backbone of numerous programs and partnerships. She serves as a crucial liaison with local public schools and supports and collaborates with the Sunrise Child Care Association to strengthen resources for licensed daycare providers. She supervises the WIC program, and her knowledge of resources means she’s often the first person residents call when they need help navigating medical or social support systems, whether they are young families, children, or seniors.
And seniors know her well. Kathy rarely misses a chance to visit senior centers, where she monitors blood pressure and oxygen levels while connecting older residents with services they may need. Her reach is so broad that there is likely no sector of Richland County untouched by her work.
Kathy’s energy doesn’t stop when the workday ends. A former 4-H Council President and Lambert School Board member, she continues to serve as a 4-H leader and sits on the Richland County Planning Board. She’s also deeply rooted in her faith and community through her active involvement at St. Theresa’s in Lambert and St. Matthew’s in Sidney. Every Thursday, she faithfully observes Adoration several times a month, no matter how hectic life gets.
Affectionately known as “Mama Kathy” to many, she’s the kind of neighbor you can count on. You will find her bringing meals to grieving families, supporting young athletes at local games, or baking for a school fundraiser. She and her husband Fran, married for 34 years, run their family ranch near Lambert and raised three children, Levi, John (Elissa), and Sarah, instilling in them the same values of service and care.
A graduate of the University of Mary with a degree in nursing, Kathy’s childhood health challenges sparked her passion for nursing. Encouraged by mentor Mary Alice Rehbein during high school and into her early career, Kathy found her calling in community health, a path that has defined her professional life.
In her college years, she served as a state officer for the Nursing Student Association and was honored as North Dakota’s Student Nurse of the Year in 1986–87. That same energy continues today through her participation in state-level committees and the Montana Public Health Association.
Kathy’s proudest accomplishments aren’t titles or awards, though. “Honestly, it sounds cliché,” she says, “but I’m most proud of my children and the many young people I’ve had the opportunity to be a bonus Mom to.”
In her rare free time, Kathy enjoys gardening, following NDSU Bison football, March Madness, and listening to audiobooks on long drives between commitments. Whether at work or at home, Kathy Helmuth leads by showing up, for her family, her community, and the greater good.