10/05/1994
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Mr. John Coble called the regular business meeting of the New
Hanover County Board of Health (NHCBH) to order at 8:00 A.M.
on Wednesday, October 5, 1994, in the Carl Thomas Durham
Auditorium, New Hanover County Health Department (NHCHD) ,
Wilmington, North Carolina.
Members Present:
John M. Coble, Chairman
Spiro J. Macris, DDS, Vice-Chairman
Mary Lou Alford, RN
Thomas V. Clancy, MD
Mary King Dean
Robert G. Greer
W. Keith Elmore, RPh.
Dennis L. Jackson, DVM
Laura Pitts Maness
Edward L. Paul, Jr., OD
Mark A. Veenstra, PE
Members Absent:
Others Present:
Robert S. (Bob) Parker, Health Director
Frances De Vane, Recording Secretary
Mr. Veenstra presented the invocation.
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Mr. Coble called for corrections to the minutes of the meeting on
September 7, 1994. The minutes were corrected and approved.
Recognitions:
GLAXO Child Health Recognition Award
Mr. Parker stated on September 23, 1994, at the North Carolina
Public Health Association Annual Meeting in Asheville, N.C., the
New Hanover County Health Department received a Glaxo Child
Health Recognition Award for the "The Winning Shots... Immunize"
Program. The health department received a plaque and $5,000 for
this immunization compliance campaign. Mr. Parker recognized
tiThe Winning Shots... Immunize" Commi ttee members: Beth Day,
Epidemiology Director; Ruth Foy, Public Health Nurse; Janet
McCumbee, Public Health Nurse; and Denise Teachey, Health
Promotions Director, to the Board of Health. At the conclusion
of this campaign, the immunization compliance rate for children
two and under increased from 76% to 93%.
New Employees
Mr. Coble introduced and welcomed the following new health
department employees:
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Marian Reed, Public Health Nurse, Community Health
Maryann Adkins, Social Worker, Child Health
Mary Sassone, Social Worker, Home Health
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Service Awards
Mr. Coble recognized the following individuals for years of
service in the New Hanover County Health Department:
Five (5) Year Service Award
Gregory W. Dion, Physician Extender, Community Health
Shirley S. Lloyd, Clerical Specialist, Administration
Page S. Tootoo, Public Health Nurse, Women's Health Care (WHC)
Tracy C. Trusler, Licensed Practical Nurse, WHC
Ten (10) Year Service Award
Sandra Brooks, Clerical Specialist, WHC
Ronald T. Currie, Director, Animal Control
Department Focal:
Mr. Pete Moffitt, President, Environmental Biotech, presented the
department focal on "A Grease Management Program".
Committee Reports:
Unfinished Business:
Transfer of Home Health Agency
Mr. Parker explained that the Board of Health and the New Hanover
Regional Medical Center (NHRMC) Trustees have approved the
recommendation to transfer the New Hanover County Health
Department Home Health Agency to NHRMC with the stipulation that
staff salaries and benefits shall remain equal to or better than
current NHCHD Home Health staff salaries and benefits, and that
the Home Health Agency shall remain as autonomous as possible
within the hospital administration. He reported on Monday,
October 3, 1993, the New Hanover County Commissioners approved
the transfer of the Home Health Program to the hospital effective
January 1, 1995, with the stipulation that health department Home
Health Agency staff shall receive equal or better salaries and
benefits than currently receiving from county emploYment.
New Business:
Continuing Education for Boards of Health
Mr. Parker announced Ms. Emily Rivenbark, Public Health Education
Director, Coastal Area Health Education Center, will make a
presentation on Continuing Education for Boards of Health at the
November Board of Health meeting.
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Proposed Fee Policy Change - Employee Purchase of Medication
Mr. Parker requested that the Board consider approval of the
increases for employee medications for Prenatal Vitamins from
$5.00 to $6. OO/bottle and Sultrin Vaginal Cream from $10.00 to
$15.00/tube in the NHCHD Fee Policy. Increases are due to the
increase in cost for these medications.
Motion: Dr. Paul moved for the Board to approve the proposed
increases for Prenatal Vitamins to $6.00/bottle and Sultrin
Vaginal Cream to $15.00/tube in the Purchase of Employee
Medications Policy of the NHCHD Fee Policy. Upon vote, the
MarION CARRIED.
Comments:
Board of Health Members
Mr. Coble stated he had reviewed the NHCHD 1993-94 Fiscal Year
End Report. He commended the Board, Mr. Parker and the staff for
their accomplishments.
Health Director
Twentieth Anniversary of NBCHD Building
Mr. Parker informed the Board that the health department building
is to be 20 years-old on October 9, 1994. He distributed a copy
of the minutes of the October 9, 1974 Board of Health Meeting.
Voter Registration in WIC Office
Mr. Parker stated that the Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
Division will soon provide voter registration. This is a
requirement of the National Voter Registration Act.
Resolution - Fireworks and Public Health
Mr. Parker stated the Fireworks and Public Health Resolution was
passed by the Board of Health on July 6, 1994 and the New Hanover
County Commissioners on September 6, 1994 requesting that the
North Carolina General Assembly repeal any and all laws
permitting the sale of fireworks in North Carolina. Mr. Parker
asked for input from the Board in securing a General Assembly
member to sponsor legislation to repeal the fireworks
legislation.
Infant Mortality Rates
Mr. Parker presented a table showing state and county infant
deaths and death rates for 1992 and 1993 and the five year period
1989-1993. In 1993 the state's infant death rate increased from
9.9 to 10.6 deaths per 1,000 live births, while New Hanover
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County's infant death rate decreased from 9.4 to 7.3 per 1,000
live births.
Teenage Births - 1993, New Hanover County
Mr. Parker reported New Hanover County had 259 births to teenage
mothers in 1993. There were 104 white teenage mothers and 155
nonwhite teenage mothers.
Teenage Pregnancy Rates - 1989-93, New Hanover County
Mr. Parker stated New Hanover County has experienced a
in their teenage pregnancy rate. He reported there
teenage pregnancies (117.5 pregnancy rate) in 1989
teenage pregnancies (97.2 pregnancy rate) in 1993.
reduction
were 514
and 469
Meeting in Animal Control Building January 1995
The January 4, 1995 Board of Health Meeting is scheduled to be
held at the new Animal Control Shelter.
Animal Control Workshop for County Commissioners
The Animal Control work session regarding the Animal Control
Ordinance for the New Hanover County Commissioners will be held
on at 1:00 P.M. on Wednesday, October 17, 1994, in the County
Courthouse.
Breast Cancer Month
Mr. Parker announced that October is National Breast Cancer
Month.
Adj ournment:
There being no further business Mr. Coble adjourned the meeting
at 9:40 A.M.
~ ð'H, ¿U..
~ John M. Coble
Chairman, Board of Health
~p~
Robert S. (Bob) Parker
Secretary to the Board
Approved:
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