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01/06/1999 I I I 1 Dr. Wilson O'Kelly Jewell, Vice-Chairman, called the regular business meeting of the New Hanover County Board of Health (NHCBH) to order at 8:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 6, 1999, in the Dr. Thomas Fanning Wood Memorial Conference Room, New Hanover County Health Department, Wilmington, North Carolina. Members Present: Wilson O'Kelly Jewell, DDS, Vice-Chairman Henry V. Estep, RHU Michael E. Goins, OD Gela N. Hunter, RN, Nurse Practitioner W. Edwin Link, Jr., RPH Anne Braswell Rowe Philip P. Smith, Sr., MD Melody C. Speck, DVM Members Absent: William T. Steuer, PE/RLS, Chairman Robert G. Greer, Vice-Chair, County Commissioners Estelle G. Whitted, RN Others Present: David E. Rice, Health Director Lynda F. Smith, Assistant Health Director Pat Melvin, Assistant County Manager Frances F. De Vane, Recording Secretary Invocation: Ms. Gela Hunter gave the invocation. Minutes: Dr. Jewell asked for corrections to the minutes of the December 2, 1998 New Hanover County Board of Health Meeting. The Board of Health approved the minutes of the December 2, 1998 meeting. Oath of Office: Dr. Jewell introduced Dr. Melody C. Speck, DVM, and Dr. Philip Palmer Smith, Sr., Physician, newly appointed Board members. The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners appointed the following to the New Hanover County Board of Health: Reappointed Board of Health Members Michael E. Goins, OD - Optometrist Robert G. Greer, Vice-Chairman, New Hanover County Commissioners Estelle G. Whitted, RN - Public Member New Board of Health Members Melody C. Speck, DVM - Veterinarian Philip Palmer Smith, Jr., MD - Physician Ms. Frances De Vane, Notary Public, administered the Oath of Office to Dr. Speck, Dr. Smith, and Dr. Goins. 1 2 Dr. Jewell welcomed Dr. Speck and Dr. Smith and congratulated the reappointed Board members. Appointments to the Board of Health are for a three-year term of office. Recognitions: I Governor's World AIDS Day Volunteer Award Mr. Rice recognized Ms. Gabriella Hieb, Member, Board of Directors, Coastal AIDS Resource Efforts (CARE). Ms. Hieb received the Governor's World AIDS DAY Volunteer Service Award presented by the HIV/STD Prevention and Care Section, Department of Health and Human Services at the World AIDS Day Governor's Volunteer Awards Celebration on December 1, 1998, in Raleigh, North Carolina. Ms. Vivian Mears, Public Health Nurse, Communicable Disease, explained Ms. Hieb works with CARE and Citywide AIDS Day activities, is a Member-at-Large for the Region VII HIV Prevention Community Planning, and serves as a volunteer and as a resource to AIDS clients and to their families. She commended Ms. Hieb for her volunteer community service and for her efforts to provide the best possible service to persons infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. On behalf of the Board of Health, Dr. Jewell congratulated Ms. Hieb as recipient of the Governor's World AIDS Day Volunteer Award. He expressed his appreciation to her for her volunteer services. Personnel Service Awards Mr. Rice recognized and congratulated the following New Hanover County Service Award recipients: I Ten (10) Year Service Award Susan Wright, Environmental Health Program Specialist, Environmental Health Fifteen (15) Year Service Award Ronald Currie, Animal Control Director, Animal Control Services Dr. Jewell commended Ms. Wright and Mr. Currie for their years of public health service in New Hanover County. Department Focal: Ms. Janet McCumbee, Child Health Director, presented the department focal on "Amigos Interpreter Services ", a Hispanic interpreting service. In January 1998, the North Carolina Association of Local Health Directors presented a Resolution on Language Services in Public Health. Ms. McCumbee stated due to an increase of the Hispanic population in New Hanover County, there is a need to provide interpreting services to Hispanic clients. Bilingual staff members and volunteers help as interpreters, are involved in H.O.L.A., and attend Spanish classes to help clients. She advised agencies that receive federal reimbursement must now provide interpreter services to comply with the Office of Civil Rights. At the end of September, the health department contracted with Amigos Interpreter Services for interpreting and translating services for 10-15 hours per week. I 2 I I I ',. '5:.:.... -~-~ -~: 3 Ms. McCumbee introduced Ms. Victoria Velasco and Ms. Rebecca Carpenter, Interpreters from Amigos Interpreter Services. Ms. Velasco stated Amigos Translating and Interpreting Services provide accurate information to both clients and to providers. The service helps the provider get a better understanding of the cultural differences among clients including nonverbal communication, health practices, and social relationships. Ms. Velasco stated Amigos Interpreter Services enhances communication and provides the delivery of quality health services to Latinos/Hispanics. Mr. Estep asked about the increase of Hispanic clients at the health department. Ms. McCumbee responded during a three-month period they saw 50 Hispanic clients' multiple visits. Mr. Rice suggested providing Spanish signage of health department services. Dr. Jewell thanked Ms. Velasco and Ms. Carpenter for the department focal on translating and interpreting services. Committee Reports: Executive Committee Dr. Jewell reported Executive Committee did not meet in December. Environmental Health Committee Mr. Link reported the Body Piercing Committee met at 5:30 p.m. on December 16, 1998. The committee is addressing Body Piercing Regulations. The next Body Piercing Committee meeting will be at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 27, 1998. Unfinished Business: Generators at Emergency Shelters Dr. Jewell reported Mr. Dan Summers, Director, Emergency Management, is preparing a grant proposal for $450,000 to provide generator transfer switches at emergency shelters in New Hanover County. The grant is being funded by FEMA through the North Carolina Division of Emergency Management. Mr. Rice stated he sent a letter of support to Mr. Summers endorsing the installation of generator transfer switches in county and city school disaster shelters. He reiterated sufficient power is essential for efficient and safe sheltering in disaster shelters. New Business: Board of Health Committee Appointments Dr. Jewell presented the following 1999 Board of Health Chairs and Committees which were appointed by Mr. William T. Steuer, Chairman. Executive Committee Environmental Health Committee Mr. William T. Steuer, Chairman Dr. Wilson O'Kelly Jewell Dr. Michael E. Goins Mr. W. Edwin link Ms. Anne Braswell Rowe Mr. W. Edwin Link, Chairman Ms. Gela N. Hunter Dr. Michael E. Goins Ms. Anne Braswell Rowe Dr. Philip Palmer Smith, Sr. 3 4 Budaet Committee Division Mrs. Anne Braswell Rowe, Chairman Mr. William T. Steuer Ms. Gela N. Hunter Dr. Melody C. Speck Dr. Philip Palmer Smith, Sr. Dr. Wilson O'Kelly Jewell Mr. W. Edwin Link Ms. Estelle G. Whitted Dr. Michael E Goins Mr. Henry V. Estep Administration Animal Control Services Child Health Services Communicable Disease Community Health Dental Health/Health Promotion Environmental Health Laboratory Nutrition Women's Health Care Health Promotion Committee AC Services AdvisoryCommittee Dr. Wilson O'Kelly Jewell, Chairman Mr. Henry V. Estep Ms. Gela N. Hunter Ms. Estelle G. Whitted Dr. Melody C. Speck Dr. Melody C. Speck Association of NC Boards of Health Dr. Michael E. Goins Budget Schedule Update. Ms. Lynda F. Smith, Assistant Health Director, presented the FY 1999-00 Budget Calendar from the New Hanover County Budget Office. After Division Directors finish their budgets on January 20, they will contact and meet with Board members to review budgets. Mrs. Anne Rowe, Budget Chairman, New Hanover County Board of Health, advised Board Members are to review program budget requests with Division Directors from January 20-25. Board members should submit the budget review reports with written revisions to Ms. Rowe by 4:00 p.m. on January 25, 1999. Ms. Smith advised she will give the FY2000 Budget Request Workbooks to the Executive Committee at their meeting on January 26, 1999. The Executive Committee will meet on February 2 to discuss, and review the budget. The Board of Health will review and approve the budget request at their February 3 meeting. Ms. Smith explained the FY2000 Budget Request is due to the County Budget Office on February 15, 1999, for review by Mr. Allen O'Neal, County Manager, and his budget Committee. The Budget Office will submit the County Manager's Recommended Budget to the health department in May. Any revisions to the original budget will be reviewed and presented to the Board of Health. On May 17, 1999, the County Commissioners have scheduled a Public Hearing on the County Manager's Recommended Budget. The Board of Health members may attend the Public Hearing to discuss budget matters. Mr. Rice put the new Board members at ease regarding the budget process. He stated he has never experienced a budget process in which there is more opportunity for input, and the budget process is smooth and can really benefit Board of Health members and staff. Comments: Board of Health 4 I I I I I I _~ '..J ~ 5 Health Director Annual NHCHD Christmas Party Mr. Rice reported 179 employees and guests attended the Annual Health Department Christmas Luncheon from 12 noon until 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 16, 1998. He invited new Board members to look forward to next year's Christmas Luncheon. Also, the Board of Health gives an Employee Appreciation Luncheon during April, Public Health Month. AEIOU Update Mr. Rice reported the Assessment Protocol for Excellence in Public Health (APEX/PH) process has been in place in the health department since March 1998. The AEIOU Team (Assessing, Evaluating, Improving, Our Opportunities are Unlimited) has identified opportunities to improve. Seven areas of common themes identified were legal, community involvement, public information, board involvement, personnel, internal communication, and internal evaluation. The three action teams are to address public information, internal communication, and internal evaluation issues. Each action team is responsible for establishing goals and objectives, assigning responsibilities, and specifying methods for their opportunities to improve. The action teams are Public Information Team, Internal communication Team, and Internal Evaluation Team. Health Department Policy Committee Mr. Rice recognized the following five employees who are on the Health Department Policy Team. They are Mr. David Rice, Health Director; Ms. Dianne Harvell, Environmental Health Director; Ms. Betty Jo McCorkle, Women's Health Care Director; Ms. Susan O'Brien, Laboratory Director; and Ms. Frances De Vane, Administrative Assistant, Administration. The committee has identified 58 items to address. They are reviewing policies both new and old. Policies will be placed in one employee manual. Business Officer Appointed Mr. Rice announced Ms. Cynthia Hewett, MSIS, BS, was hired as the Business Officer for the Health Department. For more than two years Ms. Hewett has served as Finance Director/System Administrator for the Brunswick County Health Department. She begins work at the health department on January 12, 1999. Nutrition Program Director Appointed Mr. Rice announced Ms. Nancy Nail was appointed Nutrition Director. Her first day of work at the health department is January 12, 1999. She is Nutrition Director in Guilford County Health Department and is Chairman of the North Carolina Local WIC Directors. Meeting with Dean Roper. School of Public Health. UNC@ Chapel Hill Mr. Rice stated Dean William L. Roper, MD, School of Public Health, UNC @ Chapel Hill, visited Coastal AHEC, New Hanover Regional Medical Center, and the Health Department on December 10, 1998. They held a luncheon in the Carl Thomas Durham Memorial Auditorium at 12:00 noon on December 10. The purpose of the luncheon was to strengthen the relationship been the School of Public Health and local health departments.d 5 6 Improving Preventive Service Delivery. December 11.1998 On December 11, 1998, Mr. Rice attended a Preventive Service Delivery Kate B. Reynolds I Foundation Workshop. Another meeting is scheduled for January 13, 1999. Public Health Prevention Specialist - Letter of Intent Mr. Rice referred the Board to a Letter of Intent for the Public Health Prevention Service (PHPS) Program Field Placement. PHPS activities will involve data collection, data analysis, planning, and implementation. The PHPS Specialist will prepare a revised Community Diagnosis for each participating county. Partners in this program will be New Hanover Regional Medical Center and Coastal Area Health Education Center. Mr. Rice stated he is trying to pursue the PHPS Specialist. Appointment. NCPHA Resolutions Chairman Mr. Rice announced he has been appointed Chairman of the NCPHA Resolutions Committee. In this position, he will serve on the NCPHA Governing Counsel. Association of North Carolina Boards of Health. January 22,1999 Meeting Mr. Rice invited Board of Health members to attend the Local Boards of Health: Working with the Media", 13th Annual Meeting of the Association of North Carolina Boards of Health on January 22, 1999, at the North Raleigh Hilton, Raleigh, North Carolina. Dr. Goins, Dr. Jewell, and Mr. Rice plan to attend. Ms. Smith reminded Board members of the reimbursement for travel, room, meals, and registration expenses at the ANCBH Annual Meeting. I February Board of Health Meeting - Wednesday. February 2,1999 New Hanover Community Health Center Mr. Rice explained at Dr. Goins' suggestion, the Board of Health decided to go "On the Road" and meet at different health related agencies. On February 3, the Board of Health will meet at the New Hanover Community Center, 925 North 4th Street, Wilmington, N. C. New Hanover County Board of Commissioners Meeting - February 15. 1999 Mr. Rice announced that he will present the New Hanover County Health Department Annual Report and the North Carolina Public Health "Everywhere, Everyday, Everybody" video at the County Commissioners meeting on Monday, February 15, 1999. It is an opportunity to promote public health and raise visibility. Other Business: Employee Appreciation Luncheon Scheduled I The Board of Health scheduled the Employee Appreciation Luncheon from 12 Noon - 2:00 p.m. on April 14, 1999 during Public Health Month. 6 I I I . '~ - 7 Nutrition and Laboratory Divisions Recognized Mr. Rice reported on December 10, 1998, in the Laboratory, a WIC client had an alarmingly low platelet count on both the first and second finger sticks. A Laboratory technician immediately gave the low test results to a Nutritionist in Nutrition. The Nutritionist promptly called the client's mother and asked her to contact her child's physician. On the same day, the doctor admitted the child to the hospital with an ITP diagnosis. The child is now receiving treatment and the platelet count has improved. Mr. Rice commended the health department Laboratory Technician and the Nutritionist for their prompt attention to a life threatening situation. Mr. Steuer. Chairman. Board of Health Dr. Jewell informed the Board of Health that Mr. Steuer is absent at today's Board of Health meeting due to surgery. The Board of Health decided to extend get well wishes and to send flowers to Mr. Steuer. Adjourn: There being no other business, Dr. Jewell adjourned the regular business meeting of the Board of Health at 9:25 a. m. David E. Rice, M.P.H., M.A., Health Director New Hanover County Health Department Approved: February 3, 1999 7