11/12/1997
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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, November 12, 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
Dennis L. Jackson, DVM
William O'Kelly Jewell, DDS
Anne Braswell Rowe
William T. Steuer, PE/RLS
Estelle G. Whitted, RN
Members Absent:
Robert G. Greer
Others Present:
David E. Rice, Health Director
Lynda F. Smith, Assistant Health Director _
Frances F. De Vane, Recording Secretary
Invocation: Dr. Michael Goins gave the invocation.
Minutes:
Mr. Elmore called for corrections to the minutes of October 1, 1997 Board of Health meeting.
The minutes of the meeting of October 1, 1997 were approved by the New Hanover County
Board of Health.
Oath of Office:
Mrs. Frances De Vane, Notary Public, gave the Oath of Office to Mr. David E. Rice, Health
Director, New Hanover County Health Department.
Recognitions:
Dr. Thomas Fanning Wood Library
Mr. Elmore expressed today after five years the Board of Health Meeting is being held in the
Dr. Thomas Fanning Wood Library, a more conducive environment for Board meetings.
Staff Recognitions:
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Health Department Employees:
Ms. Smith recognized the following health department employees:
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New Employees
David E. Rice, Health Director, Administration
Susan Childress, Nutritionist, Nutrition
Fifteen (15) Year Service Award
Gail Jernigan, Clerical Specialist, Nutrition
Twenty (20) Year Service Award
Frances De Vane, Administrative Assistant, Administration
Other Recognitions:
Certification As A Board of Health Member - Board Leadership Academy
Ms. Smith presented Certificates for Certification as a Board of Health Member in North
Carolina to Dr. Thomas Clancy, Dr. Michael Goins, Mrs. Anne Rowe, and Mr. Bill Steuer.
Leadership Academy Certification Certificates were awarded at the Association of North
Carolina Boards of Health (ANCBH) - "Academy at the Beach" held on October 10,1997, at I
the Blockade Runner Hotel in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. Ms. Smith explained the
Leadership Academy provides professional growth opportunities and a certification process for
Board of Health members. The three Levels of Achievement are: Advanced Achievement,
Excellence, and Graduate/Certification.
Ms. Smith commended Dr. Goins, who was also recognized at the annual conference for
outstanding ANCBH membership and for his outstanding Public Health service. Dr. Goins
served as Board of Health Chairman during a previous term and received extra credits for that as
well as for serving on the Association of North Carolina Boards of Health (ANCBH).
Certificates To 100% Smoke Free Establishments
Ms. Smith awarded 100% Smoke Free Establishment Certificates to the following smoke free
establishments:
Barnes and Noble Booksellers - Mr. Michael Morgan, Manager
Cape Fear Nautilus Center - Meekie Wolfe, General Manager
Hand-Me Downs - Ms. Martha Glover, Owner
North College Road Animal Hospital- Dr. Iva Nusbaum, DVM
Spa Health Club - Mr. Chip Bullock, General Manager
Ms. Smith advised the Board of Health decided at the September Board meeting to reinstate the
issuing of the Certificates To 100% Smoke Free Establishments.
Project ASSIST- ASSIST "ANGEL" Award
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Ms. Smith recognized Mrs. Pat Johnson, Clerical Specialist, Health Promotions, recipient of the
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Project ASSIST-ASSIST "ANGEL" Award. Mrs. Johnson was awarded the ASSIST "ANGEL"
Award on October 8, 1997, at the North Carolina Project ASSIST Annual Meeting to honor her
as a "behind the scenes" player in the support of Project ASSIST goals and objectives.
On behalf of the Board of Health, Mr. Elmore welcomed Mr. Rice, Health Director; the new
health department employees; congratulated the New Hanover County Service Award
recipients; congratulated Pat Johnson, recipient of the ASSIST "ANGEL" Award; and
congratulated Dr. Clancy, Dr. Goins, Mrs. Rowe, and Mr. Steuer recipients of the ANCBH
Certification Awards.
Department Focal:
Surface Water Ouality in New Hanover County
Michael Mallin, Ph.D., Research Associate, Director of Cape Fear River Program, UNC- W
Center for Marine Science Research, UNC-W, presented the department focal on Surface Water
Quality in New Hanover County. He advised Pfiesteria has not been found in New Hanover
County. His presentation focused on Pfiesteria and other Pfiesteria-like Dinoflagellates in the
Neuse, Pamlico, and New River Estuaries of North Carolina, and also in the Pocomoke in
Maryland. Pfiesteria was first found as a contaminant of unknown origin in fish cultures and
researched by Dr. JoAnn Burkholder and Dr. Howard B. Glasgow, Jr., Botany Department,
North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina.
Dr. Mallin advised funding for this research was provided by National Science Foundation
Grant. He presented a slide presentation on Pfiesteria identified in the estuaries of North
Carolina and on the Insidious Effects of A Toxic Estuarine Dino-Flagellate on Fish Survival and
Human Health. A question and answer and discussion period followed on Pfiesteria piscida and
the toxic outbreaks of dinaflagellate.
Mr. Elmore thanked Dr. Mallin for his presentation and the information on Surface Water
Quality in New Hanover County.
Committee Reports:
Executive Committee
Mr. Elmore, Chairman, Executive Committee, reported the Executive Committee met at 6:05
p.m. on Tuesday, October 28, 1997. Items discussed at the meeting are listed under New
Business on the Board of Health Agenda.
Unfinished Business:
Report on Inner City Rabies Clinic
Mr. Ron Currie, Animal Control Services Director, gave a report on an Animal Control Services
Inner City Rabies Clinic held from 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 1, 1997, at
the Five Points Community Center. A total of 130 cats and dogs were vaccinated.
In addition to the free Inner City Rabies Clinic, Mr. Currie reported four other free clinics
sponsored by the Humane Society and Just Cats Veterinary Hospital. A total of 1,004 cats and
dogs were vaccinated in these clinics. Mr. Currie concluded a total of 1, 134 cats and dogs were
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vaccinated in the 1997 free Rabies Clinics.
Dr. Clancy asked for an estimate of the number and for the percentage of cats and dogs I
vaccinated in New Hanover County. Mr. Currie estimated there are approximately 40,000 cats
and dogs and 65% of the cats and dogs are vaccinated.
It was the consensus of the Board to have Mr. Elmore prepare a letter of appreciation on behalf
of the Board of Health to veterinarians and organizations participating in the free Rabies
Clinics.
New Business:
"Elementary School Handwashing Program" - Community Health Improvement
Program (CHIP) Grant Application
Mrs. Betty Creech, Community Health Director, presented a request (approved by the Executive
Committee) to the Board of Health to apply for an "Elementary School Handwashing
Program" - Community Health Improvement Program (CHIP) Grant through the
Partners Program of New Hanover Regional Medical Center (NHRMC). The grant is to be
implemented through the joint efforts of NHRMC Partners Program, the Health Department,
school personnel, Parent Teachers Association (PT A) and other school volunteers.
Mrs. Creech stated the goal of the grant is to teach correct hand washing techniques to prevent
the spread of diseases in a target audience of approximately 13,000 New Hanover County
elementary school students. The amount of the grant is $20,400.
Mr. Elmore, Chairman, recommended from the Executive Committee for the Board of Health to
accept and approve the "Elementary School Handwashing Program" - Community Health
Improvement Program (CHIP) Grant Application ($20,400). No local funding is required.
Mr. Steuer inquired if the proposed handwashing grant will teach children how not to abuse
school facilities. Mrs. Creech responded the issue of proper handwashing equipment and its
usage is addressed in the grant.
MOTION: Mr. Elmore, Chairman, moved from the Executive Committee for the Board of
Health to approve the "Elementary School Handwashing Program" - Community Health
Improvement Program (CHIP) Grant Application ($20,400) and to submit this request to
the New Hanover County Commissioners for their consideration. Upon vote, the MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
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"Project for Happier Lives" - Cape Fear Memorial Foundation Grant Application
Mrs. Betty Jo McCorkle, Women's Health Director, advised statistics show teenage pregnancy
is a problem. She stated many creative efforts have been tried to reduce teenage pregnancy.
She reported the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has challenged us to
reduce the teenage pregnancy rate and to reduce the problems teenage pregnancy creates.
Mrs. McCorkle requested The Honorable Gilbert Burnett, Retired District Court Judge, present
a request for the Board of Health to accept the "Project for Happier Lives" - Cape Fear
Memorial Foundation Grant Application.
Judge Burnett reiterated teenage pregnancy is a worldwide problem as proven by local, state,
and national statistics. As a member of the Board of Trustees of the National Council of
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Juvenile and Family Court Judges, Judge Burnett related discussions with judges on possible
methods for resolving the problem and reducing the high health costs and crime resulting from
teenage pregnancies. The question is how can we get teenagers to delay getting pregnant until
they are mature enough emotionally, physically, and are financially able to rear a child? He
stated, "We need to get to the heart of the problem."
Judge Burnett advised abstinence is the ideal method to prevent teenage pregnancy; but it is not
illustrative of today's society. Realistically teens are having sex and babies as illustrated in
statistics. Teenagers need to be offered incentives to attend classes and meetings to get proper
information to aid them in preventing pregnancies.
Judge Burnett explained the "Project for Happier Lives" funded by the Cape Fear Memorial
Foundation is an innovative pilot program to reduce the teenage pregnancy rate and the
problems teenage pregnancy creates. The objective of the project is to prevent teenage
pregnancies among volunteer participants (ages 13-19) for a minimum of one year. Expansion
of the program in subsequent years is to be based upon documentation of the reduction of
pregnancy rates, but the goal is for the program to be ongoing. He emphasized pregnancy
prevention, not pregnancy termination, is the objective of the project.
Judge Burnett stated the goal of the "Project for Happier Lives" is to provide a combination
of educational efforts and attractive incentives to stimulate and to motivate teens to participate
and to delay pregnancies for one year at a time and for subsequent years. He explained
teenagers are to sign up not to get pregnant for one year. Monetary incentives of $25.00 or an
equivalent gift is available for participants attending the monthly educational sessions. End of
the year drawings consisting of $5,000 success grants will be awarded to participants who
remain pregnant-free for one year. Judge Burnett stressed the importance of utilization of
creative strategies to entice teens to participate in the project. A process will be in place to
insure responsible spending of monetary incentives.
Judge Burnett explained an Advisory Board is to be appointed to support and meet with
program participants, to monitor, and to evaluate the project. He advised grant funding and
contributions (corporate and private) are being sought to fund the project. No county funding is
requested. In kind expenses include Health Department and Wilmington Housing Authority
staff time, as well as building and telephone use.
Mr. Elmore recommended from the Executive Committee for the Board of Health to accept and
approve the "Project for Happier Lives" - Cape Fear Memorial Foundation Grant
Application ($79,200).
Ms. Dean inquired if the $10,000 in kind budgeted expense for the first year will increase next
year. Ms. McCorkle responded it may decrease after the first year.
Dr. Clancy addressed the economics of the proposed project by relating the cost a stay in the
neonatal unit at the hospital may be $1 million, and the total cost of the "Project for Happier
Lives" is $79,200. He stated it is the same example of the battle between prevention and
healthcare expenses. Mrs. Whitted and Mrs. Rowe concurred there are many teenage mothers
with babies in the neonatal clinic.
Mrs. Dean expressed concern that teenagers are told not to have sex but they are provided with
contraceptives. Dr. Clancy stated he believes in abstinence but teenage pregnancy statistics
indicate teaching abstinence is ineffective. Mrs. Alford inquired what happens after a program
participant completes one year. Judge Burnett advised participants may enroll in the program to
age 20. Mr. Steurer stated there is no suggestion of accountability for kids. He expressed we
address females, and he thinks something should be done to address male accountability. He
said he does not see teenage pregnancy as a Public Health issue, but it is a tax burden.
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Mr. Elmore remarked any pregnancy generates health concerns or issues which are Public I
Health issues. Mrs. Whitted reiterated teenage pregnancy is a health issue and the Board needs
to consider anything it can to teach teenagers to prevent pregnancies. Mr. Rice stated it is
evident a lot of thought and work has gone into the planning of the "Project for Happier
Lives".
Judge Burnett restated the project is to be monitored, and if the "Project for Happier Lives"
is a success, it will become a model project and will reduce teenage pregnancies.
MOTION: Mr. Elmore, Chairman, moved from the Executive Committee for the Board of
Health to accept and approve the "Project for Happier Lives" - Cape Fear Memorial
Foundation Grant Application ($79,200) and to submit this request to the New Hanover
County Commissioners for their consideration. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED.
-L Aye
-L Nays (Mrs. Alford, Mrs. Dean, and Mr. Steuer)
Appointment of Nominating Committee
Mr. Elmore appointed the following Board of Health members to the Nominating Committee
for the selection of nominees for the 1998 Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the New Hanover
County Board of Health:
Mrs. Alford, Chairman
Mrs. Whitted
Dr. Jewell
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Mr. Elmore thanked the members of the Nominating Committee for serving.
Comments:
Board Members
Assistant Health Director
Letter - Sewer Connection at Hanby and Wilmington Beaches
Ms. Smith referred the Board to a letter of appreciation to the Carolina Beach and Kure Beach
Town Councils and to the New Hanover County Commissioners from Mr. Elmore regarding the
resolution of the sewer connection at Hanby and Wilmington Beaches. On behalf of the Board
of Health, the letter thanked the city and county officials for their cooperative efforts and
commitment to the resolution of the sewer connection at the beaches.
New Executive Director of the Association of North Carolina Boards of Health
Ms. Smith announced Mr. Carmine Rocco has been appointed Executive Director of the I
Association of North Carolina Boards of Health (Phone: 919-677-4132). Mr. Rocco served as
a Health Educator for many years in Guilford County in North Carolina.
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I Community Health Opinion Survey - Community Diagnosis (CDx)
Ms. Smith reported 260 Community Health Opinion Surveys were sent to the Board of Health
and other community leaders and health professionals. These surveys are being compiled by a
Coastal Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Research Assistant. She stated this is an effort
to get valuable input into the Community Diagnosis which is due to the State Department of
Health and Human Services on January 15, 1998.
Health Directors' Legal Conference
Ms. Smith attended the 16th Annual Health Directors' Conference on October 21-22, at the
Institute of Government, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. She reported Anne Dellinger,
Attorney, Institute of Government, addressed tobacco issues. Ms. Dellinger focused on a paper
she is writing related to possible actions by Boards of Health regarding tobacco issues.
Ms. Smith stated the New Hanover County Board of Health did not repeal its Smoking
Pollution Control Regulation (SCR). The Board voted to hold the SCR in abeyance. Since the
regulation was not repealed, amendments possibly could be made to the SCR to remove the
economic considerations, and then the Board could vote to enforce the Board of Health SCR.
She stated the Board of Health could request the County Commissioners to pass the SCR as a
New Hanover County Smoking Control Ordinance.
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Applications for Board of Health Vacancies (November 10) - Pharmacist. Nurse.
Public Citizen
Ms. Smith stated Applications for Board of Health vacancies are due to Mrs. Lucie Harrell,
County Clerk, by November 26, 1997. The New Hanover County Commissioners will make
appointments to fill the Board vacancics at their December 8 meeting. Expiration of Board
terms are: Mr. Elmore, Pharmacist; Mrs. Alford, Registered Nurse; and Mrs. Dean, Public
Citizen.
Partnership For Children Grant Accepted By County Commissioners
Ms. Smith reported that the New Hanover County Commissioners accepted the Partnership for
Children (Smart START) Grant in the amount of $76,569 and approved the Licensed Practical
Nurse (LPN) II and Medical Office Assistant (MOA) positions.
United Way Campaign Results - Goal EXCEEDED!
Ms. Smith announced the Health Department's United Way Campaign exceeded the health
department goal of $4,500. The total collected to date is $4,516.81. She commended the staff
for ajob well done.
New Hanover County Blood Drive - Tuesday. November 18. 9:30 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.
Ms. Smith invited Board members to donate the "gift of life" and participate in the New
Hanover County sponsored Blood Drive from 9:30 a.m. - 2:45 p.m. on Tuesday, November 18,
1997, or on November 3 - December 3, 1997, at the American Red Cross Center.
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Monica Robinson's Thank You Letter
Ms. Smith referred the Board to a thank you letter to the Women's Preventive Health Team
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Members from Monica Robinson, Temporary Clerical Assistant, commending the Women's
Preventive Health Team Members for their great service to the community. I
Association of North Carolina Boards of Health (ANCBH) Manuals
Ms. Smith distributed ANCBH Manuals entitled Assess, Address Assure Manual for North
Carolina's Local Boards of Health to Dr. Jewell, Mrs. Rowe and Mr. Steurer.
Reception Honoring Mr. Rice. Health Director
Ms. Smidt reminded Board members of a Reception hosted by Mr. Allen O'Neal, County
Manager; the New Hanover County Commissioners; and the Board of Health to welcome and
honor Mr. Rice, newly appointed Health Director. The Reception is to be held from 4:30 p.m.
- 6:00 p.m. in the Sun Porch of the New Hanover County Courthouse.
Ms. Smith expressed her appreciation to the Board of Health, Mrs. Frances De Vane, and to the
Health Department staff for the assistance and support they gave her during the previous 9
months while serving as Acting Health Director. She stated she thought the Board of Health
made a great selection in hiring Mr. Rice.
Other Business:
Expression of Appreciation to Ms. Lynda F. Smith. Assistant Health Director and to the
Board of Health
Mr. Elmore expressed he has enjoyed working with Ms. Smith as Acting Health Director and he
thanked Ms. Smith for a job well done.
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Mr. Elmore commended the Board of Health for their commitment to the selection of Mr. Rice
as Health Director. Mr. Elmore stated he looks forward to working with Mr. Rice.
Comments from Mr. Rice. Health Director
Mr. Rice reported his first day of employment as the New Hanover County Health Director was
both interesting and eventful beginning with a surprise Welcome Breakfast hosted by the Health
Department staff followed by a Management Team Meeting and Staff Orientation. He stated his
second day of employment was a holiday, and now on his third day of work he is attending his
first Board of Health Meeting. He expressed he feels he made the right decision to join the New
Hanover County Health Department staff, and he is looking forward to working with the Board
of Health and staff.
There being no further business, the regular business meeting of the Board of Health was
adjourned at 10:00 a.m.
Approved:
fi~nnan
New Hanover County Board of Health
~nll~~~~tor
New Hanover County Health Department
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