Health Department Administration (906) 475-9977

Fred became the Administrative Health Officer and Public Health Director of Marquette County Health Department in July, 2008.  He previously served as the Environmental Health Director of the Marquette County Health Department from 1997 until 2008.

Benzie received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1978 from Northern Michigan University, his Master of Public Health from the University of Michigan's School of Public Health in 1980, and a Master of Public Administration from Northern Michigan University in 2010.  He was named Outstanding Graduating Graduate of the Political Science Department in 2010.

Benzie serves as Chairman of the Local Emergency Planning Committee, the Ishpeming Area Wastewater Treatment Authority Board, and the Marquette County Airport Advisory Board.  He also serves as a trustee on the Marquette County Solid Waste Management Authority and sits on the Marquette General Health Systems Mental Health Advisory Board, the Marquette County Child Death Review Team and the Medical Care Access Coalition Board.

Benzie was born in Ishpeming, Michigan and graduated from Ishpeming High School in 1973.

Benzie is currently a fellow in the National Association of County and City Health Officials, Survive and Thrive Program.  Using funding from CDC and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, this program serves only 20 new Health Officers in the nation for the purpose of training and educating them to be successful leaders in public health.

Message from our Health Officer:

The Marquette County Health Department is the unit of county government mandated by state law to maintain the health of county residents, prevent disease, and protect individuals from environmental hazards.  Our homepage is intended to give our citizens and the public information regarding current health issues, the services offered by the Department, and the health status of our community.  In addition, through this homepage you can access other websites offering a variety of health information and data.  We look forward to receiving your comments or suggestions on how we can make this website more useful to you.

FRED J. BENZIE, M.P.H., R.S., M.P.A.
Health Officer