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New United
Board of Health Member |
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Texas Association
of Community Health Centers |
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State Association
Conference Planning |
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Public
Health Preparedness in 2005 Grant Year |
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Other News Releases
and Press Stories |
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Community-Associated Methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) |
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Office of Community Health
Programs Updates |
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Immunizations |
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Seniors Health Program |
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Robert Wood Johnson (RWJ) Community
Support for Diabetes Self-Management Project |
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4C’s Clinic
Updates |
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4C’s Vacancy Updates
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County Indigent Health Care Program
Asset Testing |
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Case Management Program Review |
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Office of Emergency
Medical Services Updates |
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Administrative Offices Move
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EMS Operational Policy |
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Ambulance Responses |
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Office of
Environmental Health Services Updates |
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Stress Management Training for Animal
Services Employees |
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Animal Services Operational Developments |
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Multi-Jurisdictional Air Enforcement
Task Force |
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The Texas Commission on Environmental
Quality (TCEQ |
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Other
Operational Updates |
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Emergency Readiness Exercise
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Office of Volunteer Coordination
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8th Five Star Award to
Vital Statistics |
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Contracts
Executed |
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Bio-watch monitors |
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HIV Prevention Services
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Air samplers |
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| New
United Board of Health Member |
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Mr. Steven R. Leach, a
nurse anesthetist and resident of Bayou Vista, has been
confirmed as the municipal representative to the Galveston
County United Board of Health by a majority of the member
cities of the Health District. The position was previously
vacated upon resignation of Rosalie Morales at the April
2004 board meeting. Mr. Leach is currently an Alderman
of the City of Bayou Vista and is employed by the University
of Texas Medical Branch’s Department of Anesthesia.
Mr. Leach’s membership term will extend through
2006. For more information, contact Dr. Mark Guidry,
CEO, or W. J. Holland III, Chief Operating Officer at
(409) 938-2401 or by email at mguidry@gchd.org
or jholland@gchd.org. |
| Texas Association
of Community Health Centers (TACHC)
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Texas Association
of Community Health Centers (TACHC) held their annual
membership meeting October 22 – 26, 2004. Dr.
Abdul-Aziz Alhassan, 4C’s Medical Director and
W. Jay Holland III, Chief Operating Officer attended
this meeting. Meeting topics included: (1) developing
comprehensive systems of care around behavioral and
mental health; (2) strategies for clinical leadership
in promoting change; (3) reinventing health care around
the access redesign model; (4) changing the health
care landscape – challenges and opportunities
for CHC in the current economic and political environment;
and (5) strategies for successful IT projects. For
additional information, presentation slides are available
on the TACHC website at www.tachc.org. For more information,
contact Abdul-Aziz Alhassan, MD, 4C’s Medical
Director at (409) 949-3406 or by email at aalhassan@gchd.org
or W. J. Holland III, Chief Operating Officer at (409)
938-2401 or by email at jholland@gchd.org
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| State
Association Conference Planning
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The Health District is
working with the Texas Public Health Association (TPHA)
to plan their regional conference to be held January
19-21 on Galveston Island. The Health District has developed
a tentative agenda, and will be working with TPHA officials
to develop the curriculum and identify presenters for
the conference. Preliminary themes include: Community
Health/Public Health Administration, Preparedness, Environmental/Laboratory
Support, and an all hazards response training developed
for first responders called Basic Disaster Life Support
Class (BDLS) will be offered during the conference.
For more information contact Brian Rutherford, Public
Health Planner, at (409) 938-2275 or by email at brutherford@gchd.org |
Public
Health Preparedness in 2005 Grant Year |
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Public Health Preparedness
staff submitted work plans to the state health department
for the 2005 grant year. The work plans outline activities
and timelines the Health District will undertake to
enhance readiness for a public health emergency. The
plan calls for additional planning and training related
to the Strategic National Stockpile, collaboration
in planning with hospitals, mental health, and emergency
management agencies, providing training in disease
reporting and surveillance to healthcare providers
and community leaders, and the exercise of emergency
plans to test readiness. On November 8, 2004, Public
Health Preparedness staff gave a presentation to 20
attendees at the Bacliff Community Center. Attendees
were informed about Public Health Preparedness activities,
what they can do to prepare themselves for an emergency,
how to protect themselves and others from the spread
of disease, and the need for volunteers in an emergency.
For more information, contact Brian Rutherford, Health
District Planner, at (409) 938-2275 or by email at
brutherford@gchd.org
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| News Releases
and Press Stories
For more information on any news release or press
story, please contact Kurt Koopmann, Public Information
Officer, at 409.938.2211 or email
kkoopman@gchd.org
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The Galveston Daily
News contacted the District on October 26, 2004 concerning
an outbreak of Community-Associated Methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) in residents of a La
Marque neighborhood. The reporter was provided with
a link to a health advisory
(http://www.gchd.org/press/2004/04CAMRSA.pdf)
previously issued by the District. A link was also
provided to a December 2003 story
(http://www.gchd.org/press/2003/12MRSA.htm)
printed in the Galveston Daily News concerning MRSA.
The new story utilizing information provided was published
on October 28, 2004 and can be found at
(http://www.gchd.org/press/2004/10MRSADNews.htm).
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ABC Affiliate KTRK
Channel 13 reporter Elma Barrera contacted the District
on October 28, 2004 for information on a story she
was preparing after learning of the MRSA in La Marque.
Ms. Barrera visited the District’s headquarters
in La Marque and interviewed epidemiologist, Dr. Dana
Beckham. She was provided with the previously issued
MRSA advisory and related information.
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Office of Community Health Programs Updates
For more information, please
contact Susan Studebaker, RNC, Director of Community
Health Programs, 409.938.2457 or sstudebaker@gchd.org |
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Immunizations
- The Immunization department provided 6,427 doses of
flu vaccines to high-risk individuals at GCHD clinics
and through 16 outreach activities and 212 visits to
homebound individuals. 1,123 seniors were vaccinated
at the county senior centers bringing the total number
of seniors vaccinated to approximately 4,400 (compared
to 1,600 in 2004). Immunization and other Community
Health staff have been working closely with the Texas
Department of State Health Services (DSHS) by attending
frequent regional and statewide phone conferences and
sending weekly immunization availability and needs updates
to the DSHS Regional office. |
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Seniors Health
Program - The 2005 Senior Health Fall Fests
have begun. Five health fests are scheduled through
the end of November. Health information, demonstrations,
blood pressure, blood sugar testing, and pneumonia vaccines
will be available at these fests. |
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Robert Wood
Johnson (RWJ) Community Support for Diabetes Self-Management
Project - On Friday, November 12, the RWJ
team celebrated the conclusion of the first series
of community classes. This training teaches health
professionals and lay people how they can assist individuals
with diabetes to make needed changes to improve their
health. 17 have completed the training, 5 instructors
have completed teaching at least one class, and 12
classes or support groups are currently in progress
in Galveston County. The UTMB Stark Diabetes Center
and the GCHD RWJ staff are working collaboratively
to establish a citywide support group. Focus groups
are being held on November 30 and December 7 to determine
the scope of the project and interests of persons
with diabetes, and their family members and care takers.
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| 4C’s
Clinic Updates
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4C’s Vacancy
Updates - Interviews are ongoing for qualified
applicants of the vacant 4C's Nursing Director position.
There remain two vacant dentist positions for the 4C’s
Dental clinics, and qualified applicants are being identified
for the vacant 4C’s Counselor position. For more
information, contact Kathrine Hall, Human Resource Director
at (409) 938-2230 or by email at khall@gchd.org |
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County Indigent
Health Care Program Asset Testing – Staff
members are working toward the implementation of asset
testing for eligibility into the Galveston County Indigent
Health Care Program. Positions needed to support the
program have been posted and interviews have begun.
Current GCIHCP enrollees will be notified at the end
of November about the impending change. Current enrollees
will also be provided a copy of the request for service
form developed by the Texas State Department of Health
Services. Asset testing is scheduled to begin January
3, 2005. For more Information, contact Mike Carr, 4C’s
Business Manager at (409) 949-3406 or by email mcarr@gchd.org
or Wendy Jones, Patient Eligibility Supervisor at (409)
949-3401 or by email wjones@gchd.org |
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Case Management
Program Review – With the loss of HRSA
funding of a case management position, the role of Case
Management under review to identify resources and areas
for enhancement. Information on current Case Management
activities has been collected and distributed to Clinic
Leadership Team (CLT) Members and the Joint Board Committee
on Access to Care. One goals is to the priority populations
outlined in the 4C’s competitive grant application,
and another is to explore shared funding of a case management
position, an issue discussed at the last Joint Board
Committee on Access to Care. For more Information, contact
Mike Carr, 4C’s Business Manager at (409) 949-3406
or by email mcarr@gchd.org
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Office of Emergency Medical Services: For
more information, please contact Greg Kunkel, GAAA Operating
Chief, 409.765-2512 or gkunkel@gchd.org
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Administrative
Offices Move – the administrative offices
of Galveston EMS have moved to the Island Community
Center building located at 4700 Broadway in Galveston.
The move will provide EMS with additional space to better
coordinate its staff and improve training capabilities.
Greg Kunkel, Chief of Operations, Janet Hatch (Quality
Improvement Officer), Thomas Leigh (Training/ Safety
Officer), and Destin Simmons (Administrative Assistant)
will be headquartered at the new location. |
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EMS Operational
Policy – is being developed by staff
for approval by the Board. It is expected to be presented
for board review and approval in early 2005. |
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Ambulance Responses
– remain at a record pace, topping the 10,000
mark at the end of October (10,786 total responses).
October had the second busiest October in the history
of EMS, last year being the busiest. Galveston EMS remains
one of the busiest per capita services in the State. |
| Office
of Environmental Health Services Updates For
more information, contact Ronnie Schultz, Director of
Environmental Health Services, 409.938.2214 or
rschultz@gchd.org
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Stress Management
Training for Animal Services Employees -
On October 13, 2004, the Animal Services employees
participated in their first quarterly stress management
training event. This stress management training was
one of many recommendations that came out of the Animal
Services Division internal review and the Animal Summit
held in March of 2004. A local stress management counselor
who contracts with the Health District's employee
assistance program provided the counseling session
and has agreed to conduct these sessions on a quarterly
basis. |
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Animal Services
Operational Developments. Dana Beckham, DVM,
Health District Epidemiologist, has agreed to provide
veterinarian consultation to Animal Services in the
area of regulatory compliance and animal care. A salary
survey was completed and salary adjustments were given
to various positions within the division. The Department
of State Health Services (DSHS) conducted a follow-up
inspection to the one conducted in March of 2004 at
the Animal Shelter. Violations noted in the March inspection
were corrected. The Health District was able to secure
additional money from Galveston County during this year's
budget process to fund the much needed repairs to the
shelter and to purchase shelter and field equipment.
The Animal Services Task Force was assembled and provided
valuable comments on the draft Animal Services Inter-local
Agreement. The draft agreement was submitted to the
County Legal Division for review. The phone system at
the shelter has been upgraded and now better serves
our customers. The Friends of the Galveston County Animal
Shelter continue to assist shelter staff on a daily
basis in the area of pet adoptions and pet rescues.
Our next steps in the improvement plan includes drafting
of a priority list outlining shelter repairs and equipment
purchases, completing the draft Inter-local Agreement
and recommending it to the United Board of Health, creating
an Animal Services Advisory Committee, developing division
standard operating procedures, drafting an employee
professional development program to address training
and certifications, continuing our adherence to all
state laws, rules, regulations and guidelines and drafting
an Animal Services Operational Policy for approval by
the Board. |
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Multi-Jurisdictional
Air Enforcement Task Force – The Air
Services Division is currently assessing a proposal
originally drafted by the Mayor’s Office at the
City of Houston. The proposal aims at enhancing the
enforcement of the current State Implementation Plan
(SIP). The plan was drafted by the State in response
to the federal mandate requiring the reduction of ozone
pollution in the region by meeting established federal
air pollution standards. If the proposal is agreed upon
by all entities, the City of Houston, Harris County
and Galveston County would assemble a multi-jurisdictional
task force who are trained and equipped to address complex
air related issues not currently addressed under the
SIP. This task force would target facilities within
the region and conduct a comprehensive compliance inspection
aimed at reducing the chemicals that form ozone pollution.
This would require an Inter-local Agreement between
the three governmental entities allowing for staff members
to work outside their established jurisdiction. In addition,
this task force would share air monitoring equipment
and personnel to enhance the current monitoring programs
in the region. The vision of the program is to develop
a comprehensive region-wide State Implementation Plan
compliance and enforcement strategy that will be timely
implemented to ensure attainment of the ozone National
Ambient Air Quality Standards in the Houston region.
The attainment date established by federal legislation
to meet the ozone standard is 2007. The Health District
will continue to monitor the progress of this program
and will be updating the County Judge, Commissioner’s
Court and the Mayor of Texas City. |
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The Texas Commission
on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has approved
the Health District's request to amend the On-Site Sewage
Facility (OSSF) rules that allow us to enforce the state
rules. In August of 2004, the United Board of Health
passed a resolution requesting this approval along with
changes to the local requirements for the design and
construction of on-site sewage facilities and along
with changes to the current fee schedule. As required
under TCEQ rules and regulations, in order for a local
governmental agency to enforce state rules, the TCEQ
Commissioners had to approve and sign a resolution.
The new rules, regulations and fee schedule went into
place on November 15, 2004.
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Other Operational Updates |
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Emergency Readiness
Exercise - On the evening of Thursday, October
28th, Health District staff participated in an exercise
to test the Health District’s after-hours contact
numbers and protocols for notification of state and
local response partners. The scenario was designed
with a local physician initiating notification of
the Health district epidemiologist of several patients
with SARS-like symptoms. As a result of this exercise,
staff was able to clarify the contact protocol and
verify contact information for those who might be
called upon to respond to an emergency. For more information
contact Brian Rutherford, Public Health Planner, at
(409) 938-2275 or by email at brutherford@gchd.org |
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Office of Volunteer
Coordination - During the month of November,
four volunteers were recruited through the Office of
Volunteer Coordination to provide services in Medical
Records, EMS, and Animal Services. Shirley Carr, Volunteer
Coordinator, has been working very closely with representatives
from the Mainland and Island Work Source offices in
an effort to increase the Health District's volunteer
capacity. The Health District provides training and
experience for Work Source clients that volunteering
in order to meet a requirement. In an effort to reach
out to more diverse populations, volunteer fliers have
been placed at the COMWellness Center, A Cut Above hair
salon, Best Nails & Tan 11 salon, and three area
churches. Three of the senior volunteers are assisting
with the Senior Health Fests, which are scheduled throughout
the month of November. For more information, contact
Shirley Carr, Volunteer Coordinator at (409) 938-2438
or by email at scarr@gchd.org |
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8th Five Star
Award - Vitals Statistic Services received
their 8th "Five Star" award from the Department
of State Health Services. The five star award recognizes
vital statistic programs throughout the state of Texas
that demonstrate superior performance and far exceed
standards in rejection rates, accuracy and timely submission
of records sent to DSHS, issuance of vital statistic
documents, and training qualifications. For additional
information, contact Dana Beckham, DVM, Chief Epidemiologist,
at (409) 938-2322 or by email at dbeckham@gchd.org.
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Contracts
Executed
For more information, contact Kathy Barroso, Chief
Financial Officer at (409) 938-2257 or by email at
kbarroso@gchd.org
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A contract
with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
in the amount of $84,880 was renewed for the period
covering January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2005 to
support the operation and maintenance of the Bio-watch
monitors, and included an increase of $21,220
from last year. |
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A contract
with the Texas Dept. of State Health Services (DSHS)
to provide HIV Prevention Services
to clients identified through the Prevention Community
Planning Process was renewed in the amount of $218,017
for the period covering 1/1/05 to 12/31/05. Funding
remained at the same level as the previous year. |
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On October
29, 2004, a contact amendment with TCEQ for continued
funding to operate and maintain two whole air
samplers in Galveston County was signed. |
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