Press Releases
Year
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Welcomes Dr. Mamadou Tounkara as New Public Health Administrator
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 3, 2026
Tanya Giannotti, Public Relations
217-531-4939 /
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Welcomes
Dr. Mamadou Tounkara as New Public Health Administrator
Experienced Public Health Leader Brings Community-Focused Approach to District
CHAMPAIGN, IL – Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) has announced the appointment of Mamadou D. Tounkara, MD, MSW, MPH, as its new Public Health Administrator and Executive Director. Dr. Tounkara transitioned from his previous role as Deputy Director on Tuesday, February 3, succeeding former administrator Julie Pryde.
Dr. Tounkara brings over a decade of expertise in public health, research outcomes, medical affairs, patient safety, epidemiology, infectious diseases, and clinical practice. His extensive career includes serving as both Director of Population Health and Lead Epidemiologist at Utah’s Tooele County Health Department; Senior Epidemiologist at the Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS); and COVID-19 Hotspot Epidemiologist with the DHHS Division of Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases.
Guided by his belief that public health is strongest when it reflects the values, needs, and voices of the entire community, Dr. Tounkara has outlined four key priorities for his leadership at CUPHD:
- Improving access to health care by working with the community to reduce barriers, strengthen connections to primary care, expand preventative services, and support partnerships that bring care closer to residents’ homes and workplaces.
- Supporting healthy behaviors and access to nutritious food by increasing the availability of affordable, healthy food, promoting physical activity, and encouraging healthy lifestyles across all life stages.
- Promoting behavioral health and mental wellbeing through early intervention, community-based care, and trauma-informed approaches, as well as collaborating with local partners to reduce homelessness in Champaign County.
- Preventing violence through harm reduction and community safety through evidence-based harm reduction, education, and partnerships aimed at reducing gun violence and other injuries.
Dr. Tounkara currently serves on the Homeless Shelters & Outreach Committee for Champaign County, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to addressing homelessness and related public health issues.
“I look forward to engaging with residents, community-based organizations, health care providers, educators, and public safety partners to ensure our efforts reflect the needs and aspirations of this community,” said Dr. Tounkara.
For more information on Dr. Tounkara, visit www.c-uphd.org/administrator.html.
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Free Dental Exams and Cleanings for Children on Saturday, February 7, at Parkland College
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 29, 2026
Tanya Giannotti, Public Relations
217-531-4939 /
Free Dental Exams and Cleanings for Children on Saturday, February 7, at Parkland College
The Illini District Dental Society, Champaign-Urbana Public Health District, and Parkland College Dental Hygiene Clinic Participate in Give Kids A Smile® Day
Champaign, IL – The Illini District Dental Society will sponsor Give Kids A Smile® (GKAS) Day on Saturday, February 7, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Parkland College Dental Hygiene Clinic located at 2400 W. Bradley in Champaign. The event is part of the Children’s Dental Access Program through the American Dental Association® (ADA), which provides free oral healthcare services to children of low-income families.
On February 7, local dentists and hygienists are taking the opportunity to give back to the community by volunteering time and services for GKAS. Free dental exams, cleanings, and fluoride treatments will be provided as needed for any child aged one to 17. The oral health fair will also offer a wide range of educational activities, including dental hygiene education, free toothbrushes, and visits and pictures with the Tooth Fairy. New for 2026 is the addition of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) treatments. No appointment is necessary; however, a parent or legal guardian must accompany the child. There are no income or residency requirements to receive services at the fair.
The Give Kids A Smile® (GKAS) program, launched nationally in 2003 by the American Dental Association, provides underserved children with free oral healthcare. Each year, approximately 6,500 dentists and 30,000 dental team members volunteer at local GKAS events to provide free oral health education, screenings, and preventive and restorative treatment to over 300,000 children across the United States.
Give Kids A Smile® Day is sponsored by the Illini District Dental Society in partnership with the Parkland College Dental Hygiene program and the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District.
Individuals interested in this special event can contact the Parkland College Dental Hygiene Program Director, Laura Hettinger, at (217) 351-2386 or
For more information on Give Kids A Smile®, visit https://www.adafoundation.org/give-kids-a-smile.
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Seasonal Flu Illnesses Continue to Increase in Champaign County
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 06 2026
Tanya Giannotti, Public Relations
217-531-4939 /
Seasonal Flu Illnesses Continue to Increase in Champaign County
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Advises Individuals to Take Additional Precautions; States it’s Never Too Late to Get Vaccinated
CHAMPAIGN, IL – Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) is reporting an increase in seasonal influenza activity across Champaign County, with activity surging nationwide. Residents are advised to take additional precautions to protect themselves and others. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Illinois has reported its first pediatric death from flu this season while nationally, there have been nine pediatric deaths.
A new variant of influenza A H3N2, known as ‘subclade K,’ emerged earlier this year and is now the dominant strain in the United States. Symptoms are like those caused by the usual seasonal influenza A strains and come on suddenly. These include:
- fever
- chills
- body aches
- headaches
- extreme fatigue
- congestion or runny nose
- coughing
- sore throat
While stomach illness, such as vomiting and diarrhea, can occur, but is not typical of influenza. Stomach illness is usually the result of a gastrointestinal illness such as norovirus or food poisoning.
Vaccination against flu and other seasonal respiratory illnesses remains the most effective protection against infection for everyone six months and older. Flu and respiratory virus vaccines are available at pharmacies and health care facilities. IDPH has a vaccine locator tool for those looking for vaccines. Additional preventative measures include covering coughs and sneezes; washing hands often with soap and water; avoiding touching the eyes, nose, and mouth; and wearing a mask and avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
Healthy individuals usually recover from flu without complications, however, those who get sick should:
- stay home from work or school and stay away from
- get plenty of rest, drink liquids, and avoid using alcohol and
- take over-the-counter medications to relieve Please be advised that while rare, giving aspirin or Pepto Bismol to children and adolescents with flu may cause Reye’s Syndrome.
- wear a mask to prevent the spread of
Certain groups are at higher risk of serious flu-related complications. These include young children, people aged 65 and older, pregnant women, and people with certain medical conditions. The Centers for Disease Control recommends that those at increased risk contact their health care provider to get started on antiviral treatment as soon as possible.
For more information, visit IDPH’s influenza page.
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