08/06/1997
I
I
I
Mr. Keith Elmore, Chairman, called the regular business meeting of the New Hanover County
Board of Health (NHCBH) to order at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 6, 1997, in the Carl
Thomas Durham Auditorium, New Hanover County Health Department, Wilmington, North
Carolina.
Members Present:
W. Keith Elmore, RPh, Chairman
Mary King Dean, Vice-Chairman
Mary Lou Alford, RN
Thomas V. Clancy, MD
Michael E. Goins, OD
Robert G. Greer
Dennis L. Jackson, DVM
William O'Kelly Jewell, DDS
Anne Braswell Rowe
William T. Steuer, PE/RLS
Estelle G. Whitted, RN
Members Absent:
Others Present:
Lynda F. Smith, Acting Health Director
Frances F. De Vane, Recording Secretary
Invocation: Mr. Bobby Greer gave the invocation.
Minutes:
Mr. Elmore called for corrections to the minutes of July 2, 1997. The Board of Health corrected
and approved the minutes.
Recognitions:
Staff Recognitions
Ms. Smith recognized the following health department employees:
Five (5) Year Service Award
Marie Warren, Nutrition Director, Nutrition
Super Staffer Award January 1997-June 1997
Cynthia Newton, Public Health Nurse, Community Health/Neurology
On behalf of the New Hanover County Board of Health, Mr. Elmore congratulated Mrs.
Warren, recipient of the Five Year Service Award, and Mrs. Cynthia Newton, Public Health
Nurse, Semi-Annual Super Staff Award recipient for January 1997 - June 1997.
Department Focal:
Breast Feeding Promotion
Mrs. Marie Warren, Nutrition Director, and Ms. Rhonda Buyck, Lead Breast Feeding
Counselor, presented the department focal on Breast Feeding Promotion. She announced
August 1- 7, 1997 is World Breastfeeding Week and Breastfeeding Week in North .C.arolina as
proclaimed by Governor James B. Hunt, Jr. Mrs. 'Yarren focussed ~n the pOSItI~~ health,
economic and environmental benefits of breastfeedmg to mothers, Infants, famIlIes, and I
communiÌies. She recognized Ms. Donna LeSane, Nutritionist, and Breastfeeding Counselor,
New Hanover County Health Department.
Ms. Rhonda Buyck, Lead Breastfeeding Counselor and a contract staff member, gave an
overview of the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program for breastfeeding mothers. She
stressed the importance of counselors' support and education of clients.
Mr. Elmore thanked Mrs. Warren and Ms. Buyck for their presentations on Breast Feeding
Promotion.
Committee Reports:
Unfinished Business:
State Plan for Education on the Mega Bar Issue
Mrs. Dianne Harvell, Environmental Health Director, informed the Board the North Carolina
Commission for Health Services did not recommend the Mega Bar Restaurant Proposal as
introduced and endorsed by the New Hanover County Board of Health, but the Commission did
recommend a plan for the education of the public on Mega Bar Service in Restaurants.
Mrs. Harvell attended a meeting with two representatives from the North Carolina Restaurant
Association and two representatives from the North Carolina Division of Environment, Health,
and Natural Resources (NCDEHNR) to address educational ideas regarding Mega bar service I
for the public. She advised the Restaurant Association is making instructional placemats on
food bar service to be available at the North Carolina Annual Restaurant Show on in March
1998 and the NCDEHNR is developing instructional sign age for food bars to assist the public
with safer food bar usage. Media coverage is planned for children and adults on Mega bar
behavior.
Handgun Awareness Campaign Report
Dr. Michael Goins, Chairman, Health Promotions Committee, gave an update on the long-term
plans for the Handgun Awareness Campaign. The Wilmington City Police and New Hanover
Sheriff s Departments are working with Mrs. Denise Houghton, Health Promotions Director;
Mrs. Janet McCumbee, Child Health Director/Member of the local Child Fatality Prevention
Task Force; and the health department staff. The Center to Prevent Handgun Violence in
Washington, D.C. and North Carolinians Against Guns Violence in Raleigh, North Carolina are
to be resources for the project. The campaign-is to focus on creating public awareness through
media coverage of the dangers of handguns, to educate, and to protect the public from handgun
injuries and deaths.
Dr. Goins announced the Health Promotions Committee will meet today at 10:00 a.m. in the Dr.
Thomas Fanning Wood Library, New Hanover County Health Department.
Rabies Education Brochure
Ms. Elisabeth Barnes, Student Intern, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, reported on
her summer internship activities at the health department. She displayed and prepared a Rabies I
educational brochure entitled RABIES - Protecting Your Family and Your Pets. The brochure
was designed to address the Rabies problem in New Hanover County and to educate the public
I
I
I
B3
regarding the prevention, protection, and symptoms of Rabies. Ms. Barnes reported she assisted
health department staff with back-to-school activities, an HIV workshop, bulletin boards,
brochures regarding flu and pneumonia vaccines, and the promotion of safer foodhandling
practices. She thanked the Board of Health and the staff for the opportunity she experienced at
the health department.
Ms. Smith commended Ms. Barnes for volunteering to make her presentation to the Board of
Health.
New Business:
1997-98 Maternal and Child Health Sliding Fee Scale
Ms. Smith presented the 1997-98 Maternal and Child Health Sliding Fee Scale for Child Health
and Women's Health Clinics to the Board for their approval. She explained the revised scale is
based upon the latest Federal Poverty Guidelines and is used in Family Planning, Maternal
Health, Child Health, and Children's Special Health Services Clinics which charge patient fees.
MOTION: Dr. Goins MOVED SECONDED by Dr. Jewell to approve and to recommend to
the New Hanover County Commissioners the adoption of the 1997-98 Maternal and Child
Health Sliding Fee Scale to be incorporated in the New Hanover County Health Department Fee
Policy retroactive to July 1, 1997. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Comments:
Board Members:
Appreciation of North Carolina Public Health Services
Dr. Goins stated his visit to another state reinforced his value of Public Health and he is
grateful for the superior Public Health services in North Carolina. He expressed his
appreciation to the Board and to the staff for all they do to promote Public Health.
Acting Health Director:
Reorganization of Department of Environment. Health. and Natural Resources (DEHNR)
Ms. Smith advised the Board of Governor Hunt's support of the proposed legislation to merge
Health and Human Services into one agency. The new department would combine all Public
Health services (except Environmental Health) located in the Department of Environment,
Health, and Natural Resources (DEHNR) with the Department of Human Resources. DEHNR
will be renamed the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
Ms. Smith stated Governor Hunt chose Dr. David Bruton, Secretary of Human Resources, to
lead this transition. The plan is to combine the functions into a single department and to
imp~ove delivery of services for physical health, mental health, public health, and social
servIces.
Ms. Smith advised the North Carolina Association of Local Health Directors and the
Association of North Carolina Boards of Health are recommending that Environmental Health
remain under the jurisdiction of the State Health Director's office. She stated if the legislation
passes, there will be no changes in the first year in Environmental Health and specific changes
will be made pending a report from the Environmental Review Commission. The Commission
is directed to study various environmental he¡llth issues and report its recommendations to the
64
North Carolina General Assembly in 1998.
Food Talk
I
Ms. Smith distributed to the Board a copy of the Summer 1997 Food Talk, a New Hanover
County Health Department Environmental Health Division publication.
North Carolina Health Departments Claim 3 of 7 Awards of National Association of
County and City Health Officials (NACCHO)
Mrs. Smith reported she attended the NACCHO Annual Conference on July 15 - 17, 1997, at
The Omni Houston Hotel, Houston, Texas. Tobacco was a major focus of the conference.
Mrs. Smith announced during the Awards Luncheon honors were bestowed in seven categories.
North Carolina, a national leader in Public Health, won awards in three of the seven categories.
The North Carolina award winners were:
Award for Excellence in Multi-cultural Health: A Public Health Approach to
Changing Community Dynamics: Hispanic Migration to Forsyth County, North Carolina
- Forsyth County Department of Public Health, North Carolina
Award for Excellence in Maternal and Child Health: Maternity Program, Bladen
County Health Department, North Carolina
Award for Excellence in Environmental Health: Robeson County Rules on Intensive
Livestock Operations, Robeson County Health Department, North Carolina
I
North Carolina Pubic Health Association (NCPHA) 1997 Annual Conference
Ms. Smith invited Board members to register for the NCPHA 1997 Annual Conference to be
held on September 9-12, 1997, at the Adams Mark Hotel, Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She
announced the Keynote Address: Meeting the Challenge for a Healthy Tomorrow is to be given
by Mohammad N. Akhter, MD, Executive Director, American Public Health Association,
Washington, D.C., during Opening Session on Wednesday, September 10.
Legislative Appropriations to Pest Management
Ms. Smith announced that the North Carolina General Assembly appropriated $3,000,000 for
Mosquito Control to equip local Mosquito Control Programs for preparation for disaster or
hurricane response in North Carolina.
Mrs. Dianne Harvell, Environmental Health Director, explained these funds are designated to be
spent for capital outlay. The State Pest Management Program plans to purchase heavy
equipment which would be shared among counties across the state.
Association of North Carolina Boards of Health (ANCBH) Leadership Academy
Mrs. Smith explained in March 1996 the ANCBH Board of Directors approved the development
of the ANCBH Board Leadership Academy. The Academy provides professional growth I
opportunities and a certification process for Board of Health members. The three Levels of
Achievement are: Advanced Achievement, Excellence, and Graduate/Certification.
I
I
I
65
Association of North Carolina Boards of Health - Leadership Institute ''Academv at the
Beach"
Ms. Smith reminded Board members of the ANCBH - Leadership Institute, "Academy at the
Beach, " to be held on October 10 - 11, 1997, at the Blockade Runner Hotel on Wrightsville
Beach, North Carolina. A Pre-Event Training: Board of Health Orientation Training for new
Board members is from 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. on Friday evening. Special recognition to Board
members achieving full Academy Certification is to be given at the Leadership Academy
Awards Banquet from 6:45 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. on Friday evening.
Distribution of Newsletters
Ms. Smith distributed the July 1997 Epidemiology Newsletter, New Hanover County Health
Department, Ms. Betsy Summey, Editor.
Infant Mortality Rates
Ms. Smith presented a table showing state and county infant deaths and death rates from 1988
through 1996. In 1995 and 1996 the state's infant death rate remained 9.2% deaths per 1,000
live births, while New Hanover County's infant death rate increased from 6.5% to 7.1 % per
1,000 live births.
Mrs. Janet McCumbee explained in 1996 there were 13 infant deaths in New Hanover County.
In 1989 the state's infant death rate was 11.5% deaths per 1,000 live births, while New Hanover
County's infant death rate was 12.8%.
Mrs. McCumbee is researching the causes of the infant deaths, and she stated more efforts and
focusing on high-risk mothers is needed.
Other Business:
Health Promotions Committee Meeting
Mrs. Denise Houghton, Health Promotions Director, announced the Health Promotions
Committee is meeting today immediately following the Board of Health meeting.
Adjournment:
There being no further business, the regular business meeting of the Board of Health was
adjourned at 8:55 a.m.
W~~~Ch&rman
New Hanover County Board of Health
~~~~~cû~~~
New Hanover County Health Department
Approved:
I
I
I
r::. -¡
Mr. Keith Elmore, Chairman, called a business meeting of the New Hanover County Board of
Health (NHCBH) to order at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, August 25, 1997, in the Dr. Thomas
Fanning Library, New Hanover County Health Department, Wilmington, North Carolina.
Members Present:
W. Keith Elmore, RPh, Chairman
Mary King Dean, Vice-Chairman
Thomas V. Clancy, MD
Michael E. Goins, OD
Robert G. Greer (08/26/97)
Wilson O'Kelly Jewell, DDS
Dennis L. Jackson, DVM
Anne Braswell Rowe
William T. Steuer, PE, RLS
Estelle G. Whitted, RN
Members Absent:
Mary Lou Alford, RN
Robert G. Greer (08/25/97)
Wilson O'Kelly Jewell, DDS (08/25/97 - A.M. Session)
Others Present:
Allen O'Neal, County Manager
Susan O'Brien, Laboratory Director
Frances F. De Vane, Recording Secretary
Invocation:
Mr. Keith Elmore, Chairman, gave the invocation.
Mr. Elmore entertained a motion for Closed Session of the New Hanover County Board of
Health for the purpose of interviewing applicants for the position of Health Director at the New
Hanover County Health Department.
MOTION: Dr. Goins MOVED, SECONDED by Mr. Steuer for the New Hanover County
Board of Health to go into Closed Session pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11(6) to conduct individual
interviews with applicants for the position of Health Director. Upon vote, the MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
It was the consensus of the Board of Health to adjourn the Closed Session of the New Hanover
County Board of Health at 11:35 a.m. on Tuesday, August 26, 1997. The Board concurred to
return to Open Session of the Board of Health at 11:35 a.m. on Tuesday, August 26, 1997.
Upon vote, Mr. Elmore returned the New Hanover County Board of Health to Open Session.
He stated no action was taken in the Closed Session of the Board of Health.
68
Mr. Elmore announced that the New Hanover County Board of Health will hold a meeting of
the full Board of Health for the final selection of a Health Director for the New Hanover County I
Health Department at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, August 29, 1997, in the Dr. Thomas Fanning Wood
Library, New Hanover County Health Department, Wilmington, North Carolina. The meeting
on Friday will also be in Closed Session of the Board of Health.
There being no further business, the Board of Health meeting was adjourned at 11 :45 a.m. on
Tuesday, August 26, 1997.
w~~
W. Keith Elmore, RPh, Chairman
New Hanover County Board of Health
~ ~~~
Lyn~. Acting Health Director
New Hanover County Health Department
I
Approved:
I
I
I
I
~
69
Mr. Keith Elmore, Chairman, called a business meeting of the New Hanover County Board of
Health (NHCBH) to order at 12:05 p.m. on Friday, August 29, 1997, in the Dr. Thomas Fanning
Wood Library, New Hanover County Health Department, Wilmington, North Carolina.
Members Present:
W. Keith Elmore, RPh, Chairman
Mary King Dean, Vice-Chairman
Mary Lou Alford, RN
Thomas V. Clancy, MD
Michael E. Goins, OD
Robert G. Greer
Wilson O'Kelly Jewell, DDS
Dennis L. Jackson, DVM
Anne Braswell Rowe
William T. Steuer, PE, RLS
Estelle G. Whitted, RN
Members Absent:
Others Present:
Allen O'Neal, County Manager
Susan O'Brien, Laboratory Director
Frances F. De Vane, Recording Secretary
Invocation:
Mr. Elmore gave the invocation.
Mr. Elmore entertained a motion for Closed Session of the New Hanover County Board of
Health for the purpose of considering applicants for the position of Health Director for the New
Hanover County Health Department.
MOTION: Dr. Goins MOVED, SECONDED by Mrs. Rowe for the New Hanover County
Board of Health to go into Closed Session pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11(6) to consider applicants
for the position of Health Director for the New Hanover County Health Department. Upon
vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
It was the consensus of the Board of Health to adjourn the Closed Session of the New Hanover
County Board of Health at 2:50 p..m. on Friday, August 29, 1997. The Board concurred to
return to Open Session ofthe Board of Health at 2:55 p.m. on Friday, August 29, 1997.
Upon vote, Mr. Elmore returned the New Hanover County Board of Health to Open Session.
He stated no action was taken in the Closed Session of the Board of Health.
There being no further business, the Board of Health meeting was adjourned at 2:55 p.m.
w. é~o&. ChIDnnan
New Hanover County Board of Health
~~fu,Èti~~~r
New Hanover County Health Department
Approved: