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Archives |
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2005 Texas
Public Health Association Conference |
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Surveillance
of Flu like Symptoms |
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Cluster
of Rashes & Typhoid Investigations |
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Galveston
County Emergency Response Collaborative |
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Other News Releases
and Press Stories |
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District’s flu vaccination campaign |
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West Nile Virus |
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Richard D. Millican Dental clinic
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Office of Community Health
Programs Updates |
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Immunizations |
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Immunization Policy Development |
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Senior Health Advisory Council |
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Office of
Environmental Health Services Updates |
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San Leon Town Hall |
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A local sexually oriented business |
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A local fast food establishment voluntarily
closed |
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4C’s Clinic
Updates |
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Automated Referral System |
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Realignment of 4C's Nursing Services
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4C’s Grant Application |
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Asset Testing for Indigent Health Care
Program |
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Clinical Practice Guidelines |
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Office of Emergency
Medical Services |
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AED Training |
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New Heart Monitors/Defibrillators for
Ambulances |
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Operational
Updates |
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Performance Evaluations
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Dental Vacancies |
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4C's Counselor Vacancy |
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Risk and Safety Update |
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Volunteers Program |
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Public Health Preparedness
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Contracts
Executed |
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Contract amendment executed |
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| 2005
Texas Public Health Association Conference |
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The Health District in
Galveston County will be hosting the Texas Public Health
Association (TPHA) regional meeting on January 20th
and 21st. GCHD staff will be involved in developing
the educational programs for the day and a half program
as well as developing mail outs and assisting with pre-registration
and onsite registration. The association consists of
public health professionals from state and local agencies
across the state and is an affiliate of the American
Public Health Association. TPHA staff will determine
the location of the event. For more information, contact
Brian Rutherford, Public Health Planner at (409) 938-2275
or by email at brutherford@gchd.org |
| Surveillance of Flu
like Symptoms |
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The Galveston
County Health District (GCHD) Epidemiology Department
is participating in collecting statewide influenza
surveillance. Data on local flu activity is collected
from local health care providers and institutions
weekly and reported to the Department of State Health
Services. Reportable Influenza-like illness activity
(ILI) includes (1) Fever over 100 degrees F and cough
and/or sore throat, (2) Lab confirmed case: Flu case
confirmed by rapid test, culture, antigen detection,
or PCR, and (3) Institutional outbreak: A lab confirmed
outbreak in a nursing home, hospital, prison, school,
etc. All influenza activity reporting by states, laboratories,
and health-care providers is voluntary and will assist
the county in early identification of flu-like illness
outbreaks and in initiating a P.H. response. For more
information, please contact Dana Beckham, DVM, Chief
Epidemiologist, at (409) 938-2399 or by email at dbeckham@gchd.org
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| Cluster
of Rashes & Typhoid Investigations
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On October 14, 2004
a 4C’s provider reported a cluster of rash-like
illness within a youth camp located in the City of
Galveston to the District’s Epidemiology Department.
The investigating team is creating a line list of
patients that have been diagnosed with the condition.
The findings of this investigation will be presented
to the medical professionals at the youth camp to
identify risk factors of the condition, and to provide
prevention and education measures. Community-acquired
MRSA is one of the differential diagnoses. In addition,
staff are investigating a recently diagnosed case
of Typhoid Fever of a Galveston county resident. An
epidemiologic link has been made with the local resident
and a Harris County resident. Salmonella typhi is
the causative agent for Typhoid Fever. Since this
organism is not prevalent in the United States it
is imperative for the Health District, Harris County
Public Health and Environmental Services and the Department
of State Health Services to work together to determine
where the patients contracted the organism in an effort
to prevent any additional disease outbreaks. For more
information, please contact Dana Beckham, DVM, Chief
Epidemiologist, at (409) 938-2399 or by email at dbeckham@gchd.org |
| Galveston
County Emergency Response Collaborative |
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The Galveston County
Emergency Response Collaborative (GCERC) met on October
14th. Sharron Daniel, Commander for La Marque-based
Texas 3 Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT), shared
with the group how DMAT teams can be a resource for
Galveston County in providing emergency medical care
in a disaster situation. The group discussed lessons
learned from an exercise that was conducted on September
24th. GCERC members discussed ways to improve emergency
response and will address these issues in future meetings.
Finally, the group discussed plans to deploy CHEMPACK
assets in the county. CHEMPACK is a program to deploy
chemical antidotes for use by hospitals and EMS providers
in the event of a terrorist attack involving chemical
agents. 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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October has revolved
around the District’s flu vaccination
campaign and changes made as a result of
the nation wide shortage of vaccine. On October 7,
2004 a press release was issued that discussed the
challenges presented by the shortage and the new CDC
recommended high-risk populations. The entire press
release can be viewed at http://www.gchd.org/press/2004/10FluShots.htm.
At the time of the release the Houston Chronicle was
working on a story concerning the vaccine shortage
in the entire metro area and contacted the Public
Information Officer for comments on how Galveston
County was dealing with the situation. The story,
which was published on October 7, 2004, can be read
at http://www.gchd.org/press/2004/10FluShotsChronicle.htm.
In Galveston County the Galveston Daily News also
published the information provided to the public through
the press release in a story printed on October 8,
2004. This information can be viewed at http://www.gchd.org/press/2004/10FluShotsDNews.htm.
The District decided on October 15, 2004 to move the
Dickinson and Texas City immunization clinics to the
Health District headquarters in La Marque to better
serve the public seeking a flu vaccination. A press
release was issued that can be seen at .http://www.gchd.org/press/2004/10FluUpdate.htm
This information was printed in the Galveston Daily
News, Guidry E-News, and the Texas City Sun. The Texas
City Sun contacted the Public Information Office on
October 19, 2004 requesting information for a story
they were writing on flu prevention for those persons
that do not fit into a high-risk group. Dr. Dana Beckham
was interviewed by the paper and a story was published
on the 20th that can be read at http://www.gchd.org/press/2004/10FluUpdateSun.htm.
Plans for distributing the remaining influenza vaccine
at area senior citizens centers were finalized on
October 21, 2004 and a press release issued. The release
with details and links to media coverage in area newspapers
can be found at http://www.gchd.org/press/2004/10FluLocatn.htm.
The information was published in the Galveston Daily
News, Texas City Sun, and the Houston Chronicle.
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The City of Friendswood
contacted the District’s Epidemiology Department
concerning West Nile Virus in the
north county. A bird submitted for testing by a resident
tested positive for the virus. The Friendswood City
Manager requested that the District issue a press
release in an effort to help educate residents about
the importance of following the 4D’s to prevent
the spread of WNV. The city was provided with links
to all previous press releases issued, and a new press
release was drafted and submitted to two local community
newspapers with wide circulation in Friendswood. The
press release issued October 15, 2004 with information
it contained printed in the Friendswood Reporter News
and the Friendswood Journal can be found at http://www.gchd.org/press/2004/10WNV.htm. |
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The Richard
D. Millican Dental clinic was dedicated on
the morning of October 13, 2004. Approximately 50
people attended the event, including County Judge
Jim Yarbrough, Commissioner Stephen Holmes and Texas
City Commissioner Donald Singleton. 4C’s Governing
Board members in attendance included Brian Maxwell,
Dorothy Goodman, Virginia Valentino and Tony Juarez.
The decision to dedicate the clinic in honor of longtime
Dental Director Richard Millican was first proposed
by Board Member Milton Howard, DDS on behalf of the
Ninth District Dental Society of the Texas Dental
Association. At the ceremony a portrait and plaque
honoring Dr. Millican were unveiled. A large number
of Millican family members attended, A photo of Mrs.
Millican with Dr. Howard can be seen at
http://www.gchd.org/boards/action04.htm.
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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
- GCHD was fortunate to receive most of the flu vaccine
that was ordered. The demand for flu vaccine forced
the Health District to re-evaluate its vaccine clinic
plan after the Immunization Clinics could no longer
support the large numbers of people seeking the flu
vaccine. During the week of October 11, the Dickinson
and Texas City Clinics were re-located to the La Marque
office to better serve the public. To date, approximately
4,450 flu shots have been given at six (6) senior
citizen clinics, three (3) residential facilities,
and to home-bound individuals in the county. The Immunization
department has been working closely with the Texas
Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to track
flu vaccine supply and needs in Galveston County.
To this end, staff receives reports from Vaccine For
Children and other health providers, nursing homes,
hospitals, and other institutions which is then transmitted
to DSHS. Immunization staff are also attempting to
send out bulletins and guidance from CDC or DSHS in
a timely manner. |
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Immunization Policy
Development - Community Health Program staff
are developing an Immunization Policy which addresses
Board of Health positions on philosophy of services,
clinic hours, protocol development, roles in bio-terrorism
and emergency preparedness, and the Immunization Advisory
Council. The Galveston County Immunization Advisory
Council will meet in late November or early December
to consider this policy and to conduct a de-brief on
the flu vaccine program. |
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Senior Health
Advisory Council - The Senior Health Advisory
Council met twice in October. Members developed and
pilot tested a survey designed to elicit information
about the senior citizen's lifestyle (especially nutrition,
physical activity, and social support). Participants
at local senior centers will be asked to complete
the questionnaire and results will be used to determine
the focus and direction of the Council as it strives
to improve the health of seniors in Galveston County.
The advisory council is also developing a web page
on the www.gchd.org website which will include links
to senior- related resources.
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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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San Leon Town
Hall - A town hall meeting was held on October
14, 2004 at the American Legion Hall as a follow up
to inform residents on the increased efforts and improvements
in protecting public safety in the San Leon area.
Garret Foskit and Michele Reynolds represented the
District. The crowd of over 150 individuals was briefed
on our continued efforts to improve and increase animal
surveillance and enforcement activities designed to
remove dangerous and vicious animals off of the streets.
The crowd commended staff on the noticeable reduction
in the animal population running at large in their
neighborhoods. Our next steps include the continuation
of animal surveillance, distribution of educational
materials on animal services, rules and regulations,
the continuation of public health nuisance investigations
and abatement and District participation at any future
planned town hall meetings. For more information,
please contact Ronnie Schultz, Director of Environmental
Health Programs, at (409) 938-2314 or by email at rschultz@gchd.org.
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A local sexually
oriented business is under investigation by
the Consumer Health Services Division due to an apparent
transfer of ownership. This transfer of ownership may
lead to the revocation of the current permit that allows
the business to be “grand fathered” from
current regulations regarding setback requirements.
This case is being reviewed by County Legal. The new
business owner has the option to request a hearing on
the matter of permit revocation. For more information,
please contact Marty Entringer, Consumer Health Services
Manager, at (409) 938-2458 or by email at mentringer@gchd.org |
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A local fast food
establishment voluntarily closed on October
20, 2004 after the discovery by Health District food
inspectors that chicken was being held at temperatures
above 58 degrees in the restaurant’s coolers.
The operations were immediately suspended and the inventory
of chicken was removed. Refrigeration experts repaired
the coolers and a new shipment of chicken was ordered.
The restaurant was re-inspected and back in service
that same afternoon. For more information, please contact
Marty Entringer, Consumer Health Services Manager, at
(409) 938-2458 or by email at mentringer@gchd.org
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| 4C’s
Clinic Updates
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Automated Referral
System - The automated system for physician-to-physician
referral tracking is in its fourth month of use and
appears to be functioning well. The receiving entity
is unable to account for approximately twenty-five percent
of referrals made one month prior to follow-up, they
must be resent to the referring agency. Approximately
fifty percent have been scheduled for appointments.
The final twenty-five percent are still pending appointments
for other reasons like failure to complete financial
screening or awaiting referral source review. Monitoring
will continue to see if further intervention is needed.
For more information contact Michael Carr, 4C’s
Business Manager, at (409) 949-3406 or by email at mcarr@gchd.org |
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Realignment of
4C's Nursing Services - With the resignation
of one of the Clinic Nurse Managers, the management
of 4C's nursing service has been reorganized. The new
position of 4C's Nursing Director to oversee nursing
in both clinics has been approved and posted for applications.
The 4C's Nursing Director will be responsible for all
nursing services in the 4C's. The Director of Nursing
will report to the Strategic Plan Evaluator with an
office in the Texas City 4C's Administrative area. For
more information contact Pam Jahnke, RN, Strategic Plan
Evaluator, at (409)938-2256 or by email at pjahnke@gchd.org |
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4C’s Grant
Application - Staff completed the Competitive
Grant application for the 4C’s on October 19,
2004. The application was reviewed and approved by the
4C’s Governing Board Executive Committee on October
21, 2004. The grant application was submitted to the
Health Resource Services Administration (HRSA) on Friday,
October 22, 2004. If approved, as expected, this grant
will provide more that 7.5 million dollars to continue
operation of the 4C’s over the next five years.
Executive staff are to be commended for unprecedented
coordination and team work in compiling a well-organized
and comprehensive grant that meets the needs of uninsured
persons in Galveston County. For more information, contact
W. J. Holland, III, Chief Operating Officer at (409)
938-2401 or by email at jholland@gchd.org |
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Asset Testing
for Indigent Health Care Program - The Galveston
County Commissioner’s Court has authorized and
allocated funding to begin asset testing as part of
the eligibility screening for all Indigent Health Care
Program applicants. The asset testing process is to
be conducted under the Texas Department of State Health
Services guidelines. A timeline has been developed to
complete the process of implementing asset testing effective
January 3, 2005. The process includes hiring eligibility
screening staff, training those staff members and notifying
current program participants of the new eligibility
screening process. For more information, contact Michael
Carr, 4C’s Business Manager at (409) 949-3406
or by email at mcarr@gchd.org
or Wendy Jones, 4C’s Eligibility Manager at (409)
949-3401 or by email at wjones@gchd.org |
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Clinical Practice
Guidelines – Clinical guidelines have
been written and approved by the Clinic Leadership
Team (CLT) for Senior Health Screening, Hypertension,
Diabetes, Asthma and prenatal care clinical management.
Recently a guideline for prescribing Flexeril for
temporary use in muscle spasms was written and approved.
Future guidelines will address mid-level authority
to prescribe specified controlled substances for acute
pain conditions on a limited basis. For more information,
contact Abdul-Aziz Alhassan, MD, 4C’s Medical
Director at (409) 949-3406 or by email at aalhassan@gchd.org
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Office of Emergency Medical Services: For
more information, please contact Greg Kunkel, GAAA Operating
Chief, 409.621.3141 or gkunkel@gchd.org |
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AED Training
- Supervisor Jem Woods taught an Automatic External
Defibrillator (AED) training class for county employees
in county buildings with the new AED's. Mr. Woods traveled
to all of the county buildings with the new AED’s.
The AED's have been strategically placed in county buildings
in an effort to improve survivability should someone
suffer from a lethal cardiac arrhythmia. The county
is leading the way by placing AED where people work
and visit. Around 200 people suffer from these lethal
arrhythmia’s each year in Galveston County with
survival rates between 10% and 60% depending on the
time of the first shock delivered. More AED's will decrease
the time it takes to receive that life saving first
shock, thus increasing survival. |
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New Heart Monitors/Defibrillators
for Ambulances - GAAA purchased five (5) new
Zoll "M Series" monitor/defibrillators to
replace it’s aging monitors. This will place the
new equipment on all five of the front line ambulances
on the Island. The new monitors include non-invasive
blood pressure monitoring and pulse oximetry built into
the new compact unit. The new defibrillation technology
in the units delivers "biphasic" defibrillation
at lower energy than older models. This should mean
better success rates with less power. GAAA expects higher
resuscitation rates with shorter recoveries for these
heart attack victims. GAAA traded in three older units
to receive the five at a cost of two. |
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Operational Updates |
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Performance
Evaluations - The Performance Evaluation
policy was approved by both Boards at the July meetings.
On October 1, 2004, supervisors and managers began
conducting annual evaluations on all employees. Executive
Staff members are almost finished evaluating those
employees who directly report to them. The Human Resource
department will be tracking evaluations to assure
that all supervisors and managers are in compliance
with the policy and to insure that every employee
receives an evaluation. Evaluations are due to the
Human Resource department by December 31, 2004. For
more information, contact Kathrine Hall, Human Resource
Director at (409) 938-2230 or by e-mail at khall@gchd.org |
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Dental Vacancies
- Currently, there are two dental vacancies in the 4C's
Dental Clinics. To date, 5 applications/inquiries have
been received. The position was posted and advertised
extensively, and the District will continue to receive
applications and advertise for these positions. Meanwhile,
a credentialed part-time dental provider, De Shaunda
T. Graves, DDS, who will be working on a contract basis,
and has been temporarily privileged to provide dental
care. For more information, contact Kathrine Hall, Human
Resource Director at (409) 938-2230 or by e-mail at khall@gchd.org |
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4C's Counselor
Vacancy - Currently there is a vacancy for
a 4C's Counselor who will provide standardized counseling/talk
therapy for 4C’s patients with mild to moderate
mental health conditions and/or substance abuse who
are referred by 4C’s physicians and mid-level
providers. To date, 6 applications have been received.
Applications are being screened for appropriate qualifications.
For more information, contact Kathrine Hall, Human Resource
Director at (409) 938-2230 or by e-mail at khall@gchd.org |
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Risk and Safety
Update- Since the implementation of the Risk
and Safety policy, which was approved by both Boards
at the September board meetings, a Health District Safety
Committee has been formed. The Committee is comprised
of employees who represent all areas of the Health District.
The Safety Committee's first task is to prepare Emergency
Codes for use at those facilities that have overhead
PA systems (Galveston Clinic, Texas City Clinic, Animal
Shelter, and La Marque Administrative Offices). In addition,
the Risk and Safety staff are working on several investigations
which involve program compliance, JCAHO, and Information
Technology. For more information, contact Kathrine Hall,
Human Resource Director at (409) 938-2230 or by e-mail
at khall@gchd.org |
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Volunteers
Program - During the month of October, nine
(9) volunteers, including five seniors, have committed
to work the Senior Health Fests in November. Three
(3) volunteers were recruited and placed in Animal
Services, Vital Statistics, and the County Indigent
Healthcare Program. A BSN student from UT-El Paso
School of Nursing will join the Office of Community
Health programs for forty-five (45) hours of externship
in community health services. A UTMB 4th year medical
student will rotate through the 4C's clinic this month.
A former summer youth worker has returned to the Health
District as a permanent volunteer for the WIC program
in Dickinson. Shirley Carr attended the Texas Gulf
Coast Regional VOAD (volunteer organizations assisting
in disasters) meeting on October 11, 2004 where a
training by the Red Cross was presented on VOADs and
Long-term Recovery Committees. During the last 2 weeks
of October, five (5) of our senior volunteers contributed
32.5 hours to our senior flu outreach clinics. Wayne
Milner, another senior volunteer, is teaching diabetic
classes at the Dickinson Senior Center. For more information,
contact Shirley Carr, Volunteer Coordinator, at (409)
938-2438 or email scarr@gchd.org |
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Public Health Preparedness
– Staff from the Public Health Preparedness program
conducted presentations to 24 seniors at the Wayne Johnson
Community Center on September 4th, 25 members of the
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Hall in Dickinson on
September 5th, and 18 seniors at the Galveston Island
Senior Center on September 7th. The purpose of these
meetings was to educate the public regarding Public
Health Preparedness activities, inform them how they
should prepare for an emergency, and encourage volunteers
to assist the Health District in a public health emergency.
As a result, staff answered many questions and nine
individuals offered to assist in an emergency. For more
information, contact Brian Rutherford, Health District
Planner, at (409) 938-2275 or by email at brutherford@gchd.org |
| Contracts
Executed |
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A contract
amendment was executed with the Texas General Land Office
to extend the current contract term to 10/31/04. This
amendment addressed the addition of sampling locations,
and allowed us to spend unallocated monies in the FY2004
contract due to earlier cost savings. For more information
contact Kathy Barroso, Chief Financial Officer, at (409)
938-2257 or by email at kbarroso@gchd.org |
