03/04/1998
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Dr. Dennis L. Jackson, Chairman, called the regular business meeting of the New Hanover
County Board of Health (NHCBH) to order at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 4, 1998, in the
Dr. Thomas Fanning Wood Memorial Conference Room, New Hanover County Health
Department, Wilmington, North Carolina.
Members Present:
Dennis L. Jackson, DVM, Chairman
William T. Steuer, PE/RLS, Vice-Chairman
Thomas V. Clancy, MD
Henry V. Estep
Michael E. Goins, OD
Gela N. Hunter, Nurse Practitioner
Wilson O'Kelly Jewell, DDS
W. Edwin Link, Jr., RPH
Anne Braswell Rowe
Estelle G. Whitted, RN
Members Absent:
Robert G. Greer, County Commissioner
Others Present:
David E. Rice, Health Director
Lynda F. Smith, Assistant Health Director
Frances F. De Vane, Recording Secretary
Invocation: Mr. William Steuer gave the invocation.
Minutes:
Dr. Jackson called for corrections to the minutes of the February 4, 1998 New Hanover County
Board of Health Meeting. The minutes of the meeting of February 4, 1998 were corrected and
approved by the New Hanover County Board of Health.
Recognitions:
Super Staff Award Recipient - July - December 1997
Mr. Rice congratulated Ms. Betty Creech, Community Health Director, who was honored by the
New Hanover County Health Department Staff with the Semi Annual Super Staff Award. Mr.
Rice commended Ms. Creech for her 25 years of public health service and for her dedication to
our agency and to the community.
Mr. Rice introduced and welcomed new health department employees and recognized recipients
of Service Awards given by the New Hanover County Commissioners.
New Employees
Tamara Y. Fulcher, Clerical Specialist I, Nutrition
Brenda W. Hunt, Administrative Assistant - Nutrition
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Service Awards
Five (5) Years
Regina D. Randall, Clerical Specialist II - Women's Health Care
Fifteen (15) Years
Mary Jo Newton, Public Health Nurse II - Community Health
On behalf of the Board of Health, Dr. Jackson congratulated Ms. Creech, Super Staffer,
welcomed new health department employees, and expressed his appreciation to the New
Hanover County Service Award recipients for their years of service.
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Social Workers
Mr. Rice recognized the eight Social Workers employed by the health department. March has
been proclaimed Social Work Month. The Board table was covered with a cloth prepared by
UNCW Social Work students.
Department Focal:
"Celebrating Social Work's lOOth Birthdav"
Ms. Deborah Maxwell, Child Health Social Worker, gave the departmental focal on
"Celebrating Social Work's ¡OOth Birthday." The focus of the celebration is "Social Work I
Past and Social Work Future." Ms. Maxwell gave a brief history of Social Work in the United
States from 1898 - 1998. The National Association of Social Workers' definition of Social
Work is "Social Work is the professional activity of helping individuals, groups, or
communities to enhance or restore their capacity for social functioning and to create societal
conditions favorable to their goal." Ms. Maxwell concluded not all individuals feel they have
a voice; therefore, Social Workers will spend the next 100 years lighting the path for equality.
Ms. Mary Anne Adkin, Child Health Social Worker, announced Social Work Month activities
include a Tree Planting Ceremony at UNC-W for Social Workers and Social Work students, a
Lunch and Learn entitled "What Do Social Workers Do?", a proclamation recognizing Social
Work Month by the New Hanover County Commissioners, and a light in the health department
to shine through Social Work Month for those unable to light the way for themselves.
Dr. Jackson thanked Ms. Maxwell for her presentation on "Celebrating Social Work's ¡OOth
Birthday" and expressed his appreciation to health department Social Workers.
Committee Reports:
Executive Committee
Dr. Jackson, Chairman, Executive Committee, reported the Executive Committee met at 6:00
p.m. on Monday, February 24, 1998. Items discussed are under New Business on the Board
agenda.
Unfinished Business:
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New Business:
Association of North Carolina Boards of Health
Appointment and Annual Meeting
Mr. Rice reported the Association of North Carolina Boards of Health (ANCBH) requested the
appointment of a currently seated local Board of Health to serve as an Institutional Member to
the ANCBH. Dr. Jackson appointed Dr. Michael Goins as the Institutional Member to the
ANCBH representing the New Hanover County Board of Health.
Mr. Rice announced the ANCBH Annual Meeting will be held on March 19, 1998, in Raleigh,
North Carolina. Dr. Goins and Mr. Rice will attend the annual meeting.
Maternity Care Coordination Grant Application
Dr. Jackson recommended from the Executive Committee the acceptance of the Maternity Care
Coordination Grant Application. He requested Ms. Betty Jo McCorkle, Women's Health Care
Director, present the Maternity Care Coordination (MCC) Services Grant Application to the
Board of Health.
Ms. McCorkle explained the health department is currently enrolled with the North Carolina
Medicaid Program and has provided these maternal health services for 10 years. She reported
approximately 500 non-Medicaid patients received MCC services in FY 1997. The proposed
MCC services grant funding ($33,900) is to establish a new full-time Maternity Care
Coordination Social Work position to extend MCC services to 100 non-Medicaid eligible
women not currently being served.
Dr. Jackson inquired regarding the amount of a health department in kind expenses. Ms.
McCorkle estimated in kind expenses will be approximately $650 which will probably be
absorbed in the existing budget.
Mr. Estep asked if the $33,900 is total salary. Ms. McCorkle advised $33,900 includes salary
and fringe for an entry level Social Worker position. Mr. Estep and Dr. Clancy concurred
economically, the grant is worthwhile as the cost of the hospital prenatal clinic care is much
greater.
MOTION: Dr. Jackson moved from the Executive Committee for the Board of Health to
accept and approve the Maternity Care Coordination Services Grant Application ($33,900) to
establish a new Maternity Care Coordination Social Work position to extend MCC services to
non-Medicaid eligible women contingent upon continued funding from the Division of
Women's and Children's Health, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and
to submit the grant application to the New Hanover County Commissioners for their
consideration. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Comments:
Board Members
Dr. Jackson informed the Rabies Control and Animal Licensing process is being addressed.
Three software programs for Animal Control Services have been reviewed. A report from the
study of Animal Control Services issues will be presented to the Executive Committee and to
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the Board of Health upon completion.
Dr. Clancy advised the Board federal legislation regarding a .08 al~ohoJ level is .being I
considered. He stated alcohol should be treated as any other drug wIth eIther negatIve or
positive test results.
Dr. Jackson reported the Supreme Court ruled governing boards could not be sued when it
passes a regulation.
Health Director
Phone Cards
Mr. Rice distributed phone cards to the Board.
Meetings with New Hanover Regional Medical Center
Mr. Rice announced he met with Dr. Bill Atkinson, NHRMC President CEO, and scheduled the
, two following breakfast meetings for the Senior Management Teams of New Hanover Regional
Medical Center and New Hanover County Health Department:
7:00 a.m. - March 17, 1998 - Conference Room
New Hanover Regional Medical Center
7:00 a.m. - March 24, 1998 - Carl Thomas Durham Auditorium
New Hanover County Health Department
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Mr. Rice stated the purpose of the meetings is for the teams to meet and to address health issues
and services relating to both facilities.
North Carolina Association of Local Health Directors Meeting
Mr. Rice reported he attended the North Carolina Local Health Directors (NCLHD) Meeting on
February 19, 1998, in Raleigh, North Carolina. Items of importance include:
~ Medicaid maximization monies earned by health departments released by the Governor
will be disbursed to local health departments. New Hanover County Health Department
will receive approximately $60,000 for Maternal Health, Child Health, and
Communicable Disease Programs.
~ Carolina ACCESS and health departments will be recognized as partners. Medicaid
clients may choose the health department as a provider.
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Health departments will provide Health Check screens and exemption will remain for
health departments.
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Health care reform, managed care, and Carolina ACCESS were discussed.
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Submission of Performance Measures for FY1998-99
Mr. Rice reported FY1998-99 Performance Measures were submitted to the County Budget
Director. There are ten performance measures that are available in Mr. Rice's office.
Medicaid Rate for Jail Health
Mr. Rice advised Ms. Betty Creech, Community Health Director, researched through Mr. Allen
O'Neal, County Manager, the possibility of New Hanover County Health Department
reimbursing New Hanover Regional Medical Center at Medicaid rates for services rendered to
Jail inmates.
Ms. Creech informed the Board NHRMC has agreed to change from standard rates to Medicaid
rates which amounts to a 46% savings for the county. Approval was received to make this
change retroactive to January 1, 1998. At the current rate, the County will save approximately
$19,000 for the remainder of this fiscal year. The same request for an agreement for Medicaid
rei~bursement rates has been presented to Columbia Cape Fear Hospital for Jail inmate
servIces.
Dr. Goins expressed Jail medical expenses become costly to the county. Ms. Creech explained
medical expenses for federal inmates are reimbursed by the federal government. Mr. Rice stated
that the number of drop-in inmates sick calls have decreased in the Jail.
On behalf of the Board of Health, Dr. Jackson thanked Ms. Creech for her initiative and he
stated 46% savings for the county is remarkable.
"Communities That Care" Training
Mr. Rice reported he attended the "Communities That Care Training" Conference held on
February 25-27, 1998. Thirty-six agencies participated in the orientation and assessment
training. The group plans to promote the healthy development of adolescents. Adolescent
problems identified were substance abuse, delinquency, teen pregnancy, school dropouts, and
violence. Mr. Rice will serve on the Data Collection Team.
ANCBH/Coastal AHEC Board of Health Training
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Mr. Rice related Mr. Carmine Rocco, Executive Director, Association of North Carolina Boards
of Health, and Ms. Emily Rivenbark, Public Health Director, Coastal Area Health Education
Center, are coordinating a training session for local and surrounding county Boards of Health.
It is a dinner meeting scheduled from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 23, 1998, in
the Carl Thomas Durham Auditorium, New Hanover County Health Department.
Employee Appreciation Luncheon
Mr. Rice advised the Board of Health Staff Appreciation Luncheon is from of 12:00 p.m. - 1:30
p.m. on Thursday, April 9, 1998, in the Carl Thomas Durham Auditorium, New Hanover
County Health Department. Additional cooks are needed and should arrive at the Health
Department by 11 :30 a.m. A guest speaker will be sponsored by the New Hanover County
Employee Training Program, New Hanover Regional Medical Center Well Plus+, and New
Hanover County Health Department.
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APHEX/PH Update
Mr. Rice gave an update on the APEx/PH process. The Health Department's APEX/PH I
Committee will meet from 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 16, in the Dr. Thomas
Fanning Wood Memorial Conference Room of the health department. The committee includes
six Division Directors and seven employees. Trish Jones, Student Intern, will complete the
data entry of the staff questionnaires. Dr. Deborah Covington, Research Director, Coastal
AHEC, will complete the statistical analysis.
Other Business:
Adjourn:
There being no further business, the regular business meeting of the Board of Health was
adjourned at 9:05 a. m.
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Dennis L. Jackson, I'NM, Chairman
New Hanover County Board of Health
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David E. Rice, M.P.H., M.A., Health Director
New Hanover County Health Department
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Approved:
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