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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOH minutes 082296BOARD OF HEALTH 1 AUGUST 22, 1996 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH AUGUST 22, 1996 ORANGE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT MISSION STATEMENT: To enhance the quality of life, promote the health, and preserve the environment for all people in the Orange County community. THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH MET ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 22, 1996, AT THE EFLAND-CHEEKS COMMUNITY CENTER IN, EFLAND, NORTH CAROLINA. BOARD OF HEALTH MEMBERS PRESENT: Timothy Ives, PharmD, MPH, Chair; Brenda Crowder-Gaines, MSA, Vice-Chair; Beverly Foster, RN, PhD; Jonathan E. Klein, M.D.; Barry Lynn Adler, OD; Cleon Currie, BS, At Large; Janet H. Southerland, DDS, MPH; Richard J. Marinshaw, PE; Ronald J. Cammarata, DVM. BOARD OF HEALTH MEMBERS ABSENT: Alice Gordon, PhD, Commissioner; Barbara Chavious, MPH, At Large. STAFF PRESENT: Daniel B. Reimer, MPH, Health Director; Eileen Kugler, RN, MPH, Personal Health Services Director; John Sauls, Animal Control Director; Barbara Washington, Accounting Technician; Gary Morrison, Animal Control Officer; Ann Hill, Administrative Assistant; Elvira Mebane, Administrative Assistant. 1. CALL TO ORDER AND RECOGNITION OF GUESTS 1.1 Introduction of New Employees Dr. Ives, Chair called the meeting to order at 7:30 and asked Health Director, Mr. Reimer to introduce the above noted staff and new employees who were present. New employees that were present included Barbara Washington, Accounting Technician and Gary Morrison, Animal Control Officer. 2. ADDITIONS OR CHANGES TO THE AGENDA Add HSAC after Item #7 and add Announcements after Item #3. A motion was made by Dr. Foster to accept the agenda as amended. The motion was seconded by Dr. Southerland and passed unanimously. 3. REVIEW OF THE MINUTES Correct spelling of Dr. Cammarata’s name in Item #5 and Item 6.3. A motion was made by Dr. Foster to accept the minutes as amended. The motion was seconded by Dr. Southerland and passed unanimously. 3a. ANNOUNCEMENTS 1. The Community-based Public Health Initiative Steering Committee will hold their annual meeting on September 7, 1996, at the William and Ida Friday Center in Chapel Hill. All Board members are invited to attend. 2. Mr. Reimer reviewed information and news releases regarding the second rabies case in Orange County. John Sauls, Animal Control Director, was on hand to answer questions from Board members. 3. The Orange County Healthy Carolinians Task Force will meet on September 16, 1996, at 7:00 p.m., at New Hope Elementary School. Dr. Foster is the representative of the Board on the task force. The meeting is open to all Board members and to the public. All members will be receiving courtesy invitations and a copy of the preliminary report that the task force will be reviewing and prioritizing. 4. The Orange County Human Services Advisory Commission Annual Forum will be held September 18, 1996, at the William and Ida Friday Center. All Board members will receive invitations. Please RSVP if you plan to attend. Dr. Cammarata voiced concern that he had not received a invitation. The Administrative Assistant will call the Manager’s office and request an invitation be sent to Dr. Cammarata’s correct address. 5. Call for Nominations - The Durham-Orange County Medical Society recognizes the outstanding efforts of individuals of Durham and Orange counties who contribute meaningfully to improving the health and well-being of BOARD OF HEALTH 2 AUGUST 22, 1996 the citizens of these counties. Beginning with 1996, three awards will be given to a student, non-physician and physician Nomination forms were distributed to Board members to return by October 11, 1996. 6. Dr. Ives passed around a Note of Appreciation from Dr. Margaret Carlson for the dinner gift certificate presented to her by Board members. The Board expressed their gratitude to Dr. Adler for arranging the Board Committee luncheon/meeting on July 31st and for getting the gift certificate. 4. PERSONAL HEALTH SERVICES REPORT - Eileen Kugler 4.1 Approval of Nutrition Grant Ms. Kugler informed the Board that the Health Department has been awarded a Community Nutrition Promotion Project Mini Grant in the amount of $24,800 from the State of North Carolina Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources. Congratulations are due to Linnea Larson, Nutritionist, who collaborated with the schools and the Community-based Public Health Initiative project to develop a winning proposal with two major components: nutrition education in Orange County Schools and community-based nutrition education in the northern part of the county. In summary, the project will focus on cancer prevention through good nutrition. The local health department personnel who will implement the project are Linnea Larson, Nutritionist, and Iris Fuller, Health Educator with the Community-based Public Health Initiative (CBPHI). One of the main reasons the county was favored in obtaining this grant is the existing community partnership which was required to implement the project. A motion was made by Dr. Klein to accept the Community Nutrition Promotion Mini Grant Award and direct the staff to implement the project. The motion was seconded by Dr. Cammarata and passed unanimously. The Board expressed appreciation and continued support to all the staff that worked on the grant. 5. BOARD OF HEALTH GOALS 5.1 Goals 7, 8 - Mr. Cleon Currie, Committee Chairperson Mr. Currie informed the Board that the sub-committee met on July 25, 1996. Goals 7 and 8 were discussed. Goal #7. Evaluate Board Functioning; consider external reviewers to give the Board a “report card” ; and Goal #8. Get to know staff, their jobs and concerns, in order to come together around common interest. Mr. Currie distributed copies of a draft letter prepared by the committee. The letter is addressed to all Health Department staff soliciting their comments and suggestions about their work and how the Health Department operates. Board members discussed and made recommendations/changes to the letter. Mr. Reimer suggested reviewing the letter with Division Directors and the new Health Department Employee Committee. The outcomes of these reviews will be communicated to Mr. Currie prior to the next board meeting to coordinate a revised proposal for the September meeting. 5.2 Goals 2, 4 - Dr. Beverly Foster, Committee Chairperson Dr. Foster reviewed the strategies to achieve Board Goals #2, 4 and 7. The subcommittee organized the process into four major goals, those being: 1. Identifying and reducing health risks in the community; promoting healthy life-styles; 2. Detecting, investigating and preventing the spread of disease; 3. Promoting a safe and healthful environment; and 4. Promoting the availability of accessible, quality health care services though the private sector; providing quality health care services to those with limited access. Dr. Foster also reviewed, the recommended steps to implement the proposed committee structure. The Health Director informed the Board that these goals coincide with the United Way’s top five need priorities. The director will get a copy of this report for the next Board meeting. Ms. Crowder-Gaines would like the use of the words non-white changed to minorities under goal #4. Before making a decision, the Board would like to review the distributed materials and discuss the strategies at the September Board meeting. Also, the Health Director will share the sub-committee’s work with the Division Director’s and invite them to attend the next meeting for comment. 5.3 Goals, 1, 6, 9, - Dr. Timothy Ives, Committee Chairperson Dr. Ives reported that the sub-committee met on July 31, 1996, with Board members (Dr. Ives, Dr. Adler, Mr. Marinshaw, Mr. Reimer) and Dr. Carlson present. The sub-committee reviewed the following three goals: #1. Develop evaluation plan for Health Director and implement. BOARD OF HEALTH 3 AUGUST 22, 1996 #6. Continue to develop relationship with County Commissioners and County Management. #9. Create a model of how Board meetings will progress during the year. Dr. Ives presented the strategies that were suggested to achieve these goals (pages 7, 8 and 9 of the Board packet). Following discussion on the strategies that were suggested, the Chair recommended the Board review all the proposed strategies and approve or amend them at the next meeting. The Health Director reviewed the following items that were requested by the Board: Notes from Dr. Carlson, Plan for the evaluation of the Health Director and the Evaluation of City Manager. 6. HEALTH DIRECTOR’S REPORT - Daniel B. Reimer 6.1 Employee Committee Kickoff Mr. Reimer reported that the committee on employees issues and concerns met on August 21,1996. The committee will assure that the Orange County Health Department employees have opportunities to express issues and concerns in such a way that they are systematically assessed and addressed. The committee will develop recommendations for consideration by the Division Directors and the Health Director for action. The results of the committee’s deliberations and the Division Directors action will be shared with the Board of Health on a periodic basis. 6.2 Dental Program County Award Mr. Reimer informed the Board that the Orange County Smart Start Dental Program has been selected to receive a 1996 Outstanding County Program Award from the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners. The program will be honored at the Business Session of the 1996 NCACC Annual Conference in Winston Salem on Saturday, August 24, 1996, at the Benton Convention Center. In addition, winning programs will be featured in the conference issue of County Lines and at a booth during the conference exhibit show. This is a major honor since only four of 19 entries were chosen in the Human Services Category. Mr. Reimer reviewed a resolution that was adopted by the Orange County Board of Commissioners meeting of August 5, 1996. Dr. Sander, Angela Cooke, and the Health Director were present to receive the resolution. Because Dr. Sandler and Ms. Cooke will not be available, Mr. Reimer will receive the certificate at the NCACC meeting. Dr. Sandler felt a similar resolution naming Angela Cooke, Dental Coordinator, Shannon Mitchell, Dental School Hygiene Coordinator and Wendy Hill, NC Dental Hygienist for Orange County would be appropriate recognition. Mr. Reimer presented the resolution for the Boards consideration. A motion was made by Dr. Klein to adopt the resolution and present it to the Dental staff at the September Board of Health Meeting. The motion was seconded by Dr. Foster and passed unanimously. 6.3 Report of Activities The Health Director updated the Board on the following activities: Health Director’s Workplan - Updates to the Health Director’s workplan were provided to the Board. The workplan provides additional performance notes printed in italics to distinguish them from previously reported notes. Jail Health - The Health Director and Personal Health Services Director met with the County Sheriff and the new director of the jail to discuss the jail health plan. Dr. Arthur Axelbank, physician for the Orange County Jail, recommended that a nurse be available in the jail to dispense medications and attend to other health needs that cannot be managed within the contract the jail has with Orange Family Medicine and are beyond the scope of the jailers. Following that meeting, the Personal Health Services Director and Adult Health Services Program Supervisor made a site visit to the jail and have consulted with faculty at the School of Public Health and School of Nursing; and have received information from two other counties that operate jail health programs. This assessment will result in recommendations from the health department on how the jail might assure quality health care services for inmates and whether there is an appropriate role for the health department in meeting those needs. Rabies Plan - The Rabies Response Plan, prepared by the Animal Control and Health Directors was put in place just in time for the first case of rabies in a terrestrial animal in Orange County. Media coverage of the plan as presented to the Board of Commissioners alerted the community at large to the possibility of rabies and paved the way for a smooth response when the first case was reported on July 17, 1996, and confirmed by the State laboratory the following day. John Sauls, Animal Control Director, received much deserved public support in news articles. BOARD OF HEALTH 4 AUGUST 22, 1996 The Board expressed their appreciation to the Animal Control staff for all the hard work done in preparing for this outbreak.. CBPHI Shared Leadership Program - One of the objectives of the Kellogg Mini Grant was to support greater involvement of the health department in the CBPHI. An interdisciplinary team from the health department has participated with similar teams from the other four counties in a series of retreats to determine how the CBPHI principles could be applied more broadly within the health department. Representatives from the team met with the Health Director to assess support for new directions the team would like to implement. A meeting has been set for the team, the division directors and supervisors to explore proposals that the team will put forward. These meeting could result, either, in new initiatives or changes in the way existing services are carried out. Professional Services Contracts - The initiative to plan a managed care approach to Medicaid patients involving the Health Department, Piedmont Health Services, and the Departments of Family Medicine, Pediatrics and Obstetrics/Gynecology as well as UNC Hospitals, the Personal Health Services Director and the Health Director are reevaluating the current arrangement for medical coverage of the Health Department clinical services through the three separate contracts now in existence. The Personal Health Services Director has drawn up a “Request for Proposals” which includes the responsibilities of the medical school departments in all of the existing contracts. The Health Department has discussed the problems that patients and staff experience from the fragmented approach and have asked all of our contracting parties to help us assess whether there could be a more effective, more comprehensive arrangement. The Director has received feedback that indicated the departments are planning a joint response rather than separate responses to the request. Feedback on this response will be reported at the next Board meeting.. Personnel Issues - Significant concerns arising from the Animal Control Division have resulted in a series of meetings with staff. These meetings have been facilitated by the Health Director and a staff member from the Personnel Department to specify the concerns and develop action plans. A number of issues have been resolved and the process continues. With the realignment of the Audio Visual Technician position to a Public Health Nursing position, the Personnel Director has asked the department to assess whether the school health nursing position was the best use of the resources since the two school systems each received new school nursing positions. This request has required an assessment involving both school district officials and health department staff. Justifications of the need for the position have been received from both schools and the health department staff 7. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS Board members would like for the Health Director to request the presence of the County Attorney at the next Board meeting to update the Board on the Orange County Smoking Control Rules. 8. ADJOURN With no further business, a motion was made by Ms. Crowder-Gaines and seconded by Dr. Klein to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried unanimously. The next regular Board of Health meeting will be September 26, 1996, at 7:30 p.m. in the OWASA Conference Room in Carrboro. Respectfully submitted, Daniel B. Reimer, MPH Health Director