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Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 939
La Marque, TX 77568
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Monthly
Executive Report
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Phone: 409-938-2401
Fax: 409-938-2243
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| The Executive Report is a monthly summary of key activities
and significant happenings in the Health District overall. This summary of
activities and/or happenings may involve: one of many different
public health programs, the
Galveston Area Ambulance Authority (GAAA), the
4C's federally-funded community health clinics
(CHC's), and/or collaborate efforts among community health partners.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact:
Pisa Lewis , Executive Assistant,
at 409 938-2401, by email:plewis@gchd.org; or Kurt Koopmann,
Public Information Officer,
at 409-938-2211, by email:kkoopman@gchd.org.
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| September 29, 2004 |
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Healthcare
Needs and Barriers in Galveston County |
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Exercising
Public Health Readiness |
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Off-Shore
Ship Quarantine |
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Diseases
and Disasters: Are We Ready? Conference |
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4C’s Clinic Updates |
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Fiscal Year 2005 Competitive
Grant Renewal |
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Nurseline Program |
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Automated Referral System |
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Nurse Practitioner leaving |
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Reengineering Proposal - The “Clinic
Redesign Team Training Program” |
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Office of
Environmental Health Services Updates |
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Proposal to relocate Consumer Health
inspectors to La Marque Headquarters |
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Beach Water Samples |
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Public Outreach |
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Office of Community Health
Programs Updates |
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Tuberculosis Elimination |
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The Senior Health Advisory Council |
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The Immunization Advisory Committee |
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The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
Program |
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Office of Emergency Medical
Services |
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CHEMPAK initiative |
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Galveston EMS’s EMT, Joe Erexson
was honored |
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Operational
Updates |
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Volunteer Program |
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Rotary Clubs educated about
District Health Services |
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Merit Bonuses |
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Salary Adjustments |
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Intercom System |
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Contracts
Executed |
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Air Quality Monitoring |
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Public Health Preparedness
planning and operations |
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| Healthcare
Needs and Barriers in Galveston County |
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In preparing for the 4C’s
five-year grant, the health district identified several
healthcare needs and barriers in Galveston County, impacting
uninsured and underinsured populations. Key health needs
include: (1) preventive healthcare for underserved seniors;
(2) women seeking family planning; (3) counseling for
mental health conditions & substance abuse; (4) prenatal
and pediatric care for low income; (5) effective management
of chronic conditions; (6) preventing communicable diseases;
(7) access to healthcare for the homeless; (8) access
to healthcare for uninsured employees of small businesses;
(9) growing proportion of persons needing acute/urgent
healthcare; and (10) preventive dental care for children.
Significant healthcare barriers: (1) cost and access to
pharmaceuticals, (2) communications between partner agencies
regarding business changes, medical information, and available
resources for patient care, (3) lack of emphasis on clinical
preventive medical care, (4) transportation barriers,
(5) access to mental health & social service resources,
(6) cultural/language barriers, (7) local data on specific
health disparities, and (8) dental professional shortages.
These healthcare needs and barriers were discussed today
with Eduardo Sanchez, MD, Commissioner of the Department
of State Health Services and Jim Hine, Commissioner of
the Department of Aged and Disabled when they visited
the Health District on September 29th. Many of these issues
are outlined in the Strategic Health Plan and will be
reviewed by the Joint Board Committee on Access to Care
at its October 19th meeting. For more information, contact
Harlan “Mark” Guidry, MD, MPH, Chief Executive
Officer, at 409-938-2401 or mguidry@gchd.org
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| Exercising Public Health
Readiness |
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On September
24, 2004, Health District staff, together with staff
from UTMB, Mainland Medical Center, the Red Cross, the
Coast Guard, the Galveston County Office of Emergency
Management, and the Texas Department of State Health
Services, participated in a tabletop exercise involving
a smallpox scenario. Dr. Scott Lillibridge, from the
UT School of Public Health Department for Biosecurity
and Public Health Preparedness in Houston, moderated
the exercise. The School of Public Health reported that
public agencies from California, Michigan, & Kansas
listened in to the Galveston exercise and commended
the District and its partners for doing an excellent
job. It is important to test emergency response plans
as it provides a means to evaluate and improve our capacity
to detect and respond to a threat. Entities from other
states have expressed interest in conducting a similar
type of exercise in their states. This exercise was
unique in that staff from the various agencies participated
via conference call and internet access also, it was
the first audio exercise of this type that has been
conducted in the state. The Galveston County Emergency
Response Collaborative will meet again on October 14,
2004, to outline lessons-learned from the exercise and
next steps to enhancing our planning. For more information,
contact Brian Rutherford, Public Health Planner, at
(409) 938-2275 or by email brutherford@gchd.org.
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| Off-Shore
Ship Quarantine |
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On September 2, 2004,
the Health District (GCHD) was notified that a cargo
ship, returning from a voyage to West Africa and originally
destined to dock in Pasadena Texas, detoured to anchored
several miles offshore of Galveston Island due to the
death of a crew member who had symptoms suggestive of
Lassa fever, Yellow Fever, and/or Malaria. The ship
entered Galveston waters under voluntary quarantine
to prevent the possible spread of an infectious disease
and until a cause of death could be determined. On September
8, an autopsy was performed by the Galveston County
Medical Examiner when specimens were sent to Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lab for testing.
On September 10, CDC confirmed that the death was due
to terminal malaria infection and ruled out Lassa and/or
Yellow Fever infections. Given no public health threat,
the ship’s voluntary quarantine was lifted and
it proceeded to its original destination in Pasadena.
For more information contact Dana Beckham, DVM, Chief
Epidemiologist, 409-938-2399
or dbeckham@gchd.org |
Diseases
and Disasters: Are We Ready? Conference |
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The "Diseases and
Disasters: Are We Ready?" conference was held at
the Johnnie Arolfo Civic Center in League City on September
1, 2004. The conference was well attended with about
140 participants. After a welcome by County Judge Jim
Yarbrough, Health District staff spoke on the need for
disaster planning, the current activities being conducted
by the Health District and response partners, and the
Strategic National Stockpile Program and the need for
volunteers. Tesa Duffey-Wrobleski, the Galveston County
Emergency Coordinator, discussed the Role of Emergency
Management in a Public Health Emergency. Dr. deVignes-Kendrick,
the Deputy Director of the Center for Bio-Security and
Public Health Preparedness at the UT School of Public
Health in Houston and Keynote speaker for the conference,
spoke about the need for planning, coordination and
communication among public health response partners.
In the breakout sessions that followed, participants
offered their feedback, and suggestions regarding public
health preparedness issues. As a result of the conference,
planning groups will be formed to further address the
issues and ideas presented in the breakout sessions
and report their progress during the monthly meetings
of the Galveston County Emergency Response Collaborative.
For more information contact Brian Rutherford, Public
Health Planner, at 409-938-2275 or by email 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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At the regular meeting
of the 4C’s Governing Board held in August, the
resignation of Board Chairperson, Thelma Logan was accepted
and new 4C’s Governing Board officers elected.
Brian Maxwell was elected as Chairperson, and Virginia
Valentino was selected to fill the position of Secretary-Treasurer.
A press release was issued announcing these changes,
http://www.gchd.org/press/2004/09GovBoardElection.htm. |
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A press release was issued
on September 8, 2004 explaining measures recently taken
to quarantine a tuberculosis patient to the state hospital
in San Antonio. It was issued to help the public understand
that these laws are rarely used, and only when a need
to protect public health has been detected. The information
was published by Guidry E-News and can be found at
http://www.gchd.org/press/2004/09LawsProtect.htm.
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On September 4, 2004
the District received notification that a ship bound
for the Port of Pasadena would instead anchor off the
coast of Galveston. The ship was placed under voluntary
quarantine after the death of a crewmember on board
the Overseas Marilyn. Officials suspected the cause
of death to be Lassa fever or malaria. The District’s
Public Information Office worked closely with UTMB,
CDC, and the Harris County Public Health and Environmental
Services Department in distributing public statements.
After an autopsy performed by the Galveston County Medical
Examiner, and testing done by the CDC the cause of death
was determined to be Malaria. The contents of an Associated
Press story on the incident can be found at
http://www.gchd.org/press/2004/09ShipDeathAP.htm.
The story as reported in the Houston Chronicle can be
seen at
http://www.gchd.org/press/2004/09ShipDeathChronicle.htm,
and as reported in the Galveston County Daily News at
http://www.gchd.org/press/2004/09ShipDeathDNews.htm.
After the cause of death was determined the District
in cooperation with UTMB issued a joint press release
which can be found at
http://www.gchd.org/press/2004/09ShipDeath.htm.
In addition television news stories were broadcast on
KTRK Channel 13, KPRC Channel 2, KRIV Channel 26, and
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On September 10, 2004
Public Information Officer Kurt Koopmann was contacted
by the Galveston County Daily News concerning a press
release issued by the City of Clear Lake Shore and two
birds from that city that tested positive for West Nile
Virus. In the article http://www.galvnews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=b6668127e774675d,
Koopmann provided information on the 4D’s and
urged all county residents to observe these prevention
measures to decrease the risk of acquiring West Nile.
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| 4C’s
Clinic Updates |
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Fiscal Year 2005
Competitive Grant Renewal - The 4C's grant for
Fiscal year '05 is on track. District staff have sent
most of the material to Jo Carcedo, Grant writer, so a
draft narrative can be developed. The budget for the grant
has been compiled and the narrative for it is still being
worked on. Letters of support will be solicited from UTMB,
Independent School Districts, member cities, etc for the
grant. With the grant being due on October 25, 2004, staff
will either request the Governing Board meet early in
October to review or have the Executive & Finance
committees review and approve, adding an agenda item on
the Governing Boards’ regular agenda of October
29, 2004 for concurrence. For more information, contact
W. J. Holland, III, Chief Operating Officer, 409-938-2401
or jholland@gchd.org.
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Nurseline Program
– Following the August approval of the 4C’s
Governing Board to continue the Nurseline program, Melba
Williams-Taylor, LVN has been assigned to staff the line.
In addition, over the next year, all other staff nurses
will rotate through the Nurseline to familiarize themselves
with the process. For more information, contact Pam Jahnke,
Strategic Plan Coordinator at 409.938.2256 or pjahnke@gchd.org
or Mike Carr, 4C’s Business Manager at 409.949.3406
or mcarr@gchd.org
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Automated Referral
System - The automated system for tracking physician-to-physician
referrals is in its third month of implementation. During
the implementation, a need was identified to track diagnostics
in a similar manner to physician referrals. The existing
system was used to develop a diagnostic tracking system,
which is now being tested by staff. For more information,
contact Mike Carr, 4C’s Business Manager at 409.
949.3406 or mcarr@gchd.org
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Nurse Practitioner
leaving – After four years, part time Nurse
Practitioner RoseMary Maniscalco is leaving the 4C’s
effective September 29, 2004. We wish her well in her
future endeavors. For more information, contact Abdul-Aziz
Alhassan, MD, 4C’s Medical Director at 409.949.3406
or aalhassan@gchd.org
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Reengineering
Proposal - The “Clinic Redesign Team Training
Program” will be presented to the 4C’s
Governing Board for it’s formal approval and funding
on September 30, 2004. The proposal that is being recommended
by staff involves management staff training; selection
of the team members, training the redesign teams, and
redesigns process selection, testing and evaluation.
On October 26, 2004, after submission of the five (5)
year 4C’s competing grant application, a planning
conference call will be held with the contractor to
determine the project start date. If schedules allow,
the first meeting with management should occur in either
December 2004 or January 2005. This management meeting
begins the six (6) month training process. Redesign
goals include reduced cycle times, increased patient
satisfaction, increased staff productivity and increased
access to care. This project encompasses both clinics
staff and the total cost is $35,300. For more information,
contact W. J. Holland, III, Chief Operating Officer,
409-938-2401 or jholland@gchd.org.
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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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Proposal to relocate
Consumer Health inspectors to La Marque Headquarters
- The program has developed a proposal to relocate offices
of all inspectors to its headquarters in La Marque.
Prior to such a move, communication will go out to all
stakeholders informing them of the new office location
and assuring them that we will make every effort to
avoid any impact on the quality of services. Inspectors
travel to required locations 80% of the time, while
office location affords the opportunity for inspectors
to complete reports, to participate in quality assurance
reviews, and related training. The proposed relocation
is a means to develop consistent and standardized inspection
and permitting processes. The need for standardization
was identified in community-wide forums and at an environmental
health summit held on September 11, 2003 as part of
the Health District’s process of developing a
Strategic Health Plan. Inspectors will be expected to
continue their 80% fieldwork inspecting and assisting
businesses and citizens. Business may access the assistance
of the program by use of web-based information, fax,
phone, and appointment for on-site assistance. Periodic
training classes will continue on Galveston Island and
for the convenience of our Bolivar Peninsula customers,
an inspector will continue to serve them every Friday
from 10:00 am to 12 NOON at the Precinct 9 Courthouse.
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Beach Water Samples
- Following the second landfall of Hurricane Ivan, the
bacteriological levels in the waters along the beaches
on the Bolivar Peninsula increased dramatically. The beaches
were posted and informational faxes were sent to officials
on the Peninsula advising them in the dramatic increase
in the bacteria levels. Current beach water advisories
can be found on our website:
www.gchd.org. |
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Public Outreach
- Several staff members participated in public outreach
events to increase public awareness about our services
provided as outlined in Priority #1 in the Strategic Health
Plan. Garret Foskit, Nuisance Abatement, made a presentation
to the Save our Shores group in the San Leon/Bacliff area
about the services provided through Nuisance Abatement.
In addition, he discussed how to access these services.
Vu Nguyen and Alan Jeffcoats participated in a presentation
to a group of 5th and 8th graders about water pollution
issues in Galveston County. They provided informational
brochures to the students and encouraged the students
to pursue an environmental career in the future. Public
awareness and education campaigns that address environmental
concerns are outlined in Priority #6, Environmental Health
Improvements.
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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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Tuberculosis
Elimination – The Health District Tuberculosis
Department received a report regarding a person with
active tuberculosis who had been working on an offshore
drilling platform. Sixty-four (64) persons were tested
(on the drilling platform, at Scholes Field, and in
the clinic) for tuberculosis (six live in Galveston
County, 31 in other counties in the state, 23 from Louisiana,
2 from Florida and 2 from Angola). leven (11) were positive
and all were X-rayed with negative results. The Health
District started eight of those people on prophylactic
medication and two (2) were started by their local health
departments. One (1) man will be started on medication
as soon as results are received on additional lab tests.
Community Health Nurses made four (4) helicopter trips
to the platform to place and read these tests. |
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The Senior Health
Advisory Council has met twice during September.
The council identified two (2) broad priority areas: (1)
promote wellness/ fitness for the prevention of health
problems/conditions and which will enable seniors to live
independently in their homes as long as possible and (2)
improve the way we communicate to seniors and their caregivers
about affordable health care services (knowing that we
may not change the system, but rather provide education
as to how to best access the system) and community resources
and assistance to seniors who can no longer live independently.
The council is currently working on three (3) projects:
1) a questionnaire to be used with individuals and in
focus groups, is being developed to assess perceived needs
of seniors as well as lifestyle factors; 2) a listing
of resources for older adults is being compiled, and 3)
the council is assisting with the preparation of a senior-friendly
brochure detailing Health District services. |
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The Immunization
Advisory Committee met on September 23 to discuss
Kids Fest activities and to identify any changes that
should be made to future back-to-school events. The
members also discussed the Senior Health Fests and other
flu vaccine efforts scheduled during October and November.
2,000 fliers will be distributed in the community and
times and dates will be available in a news release
as well as on the Health District’s website. The
flu vaccine cost $16 and will be given starting October
1. The Health District will bill Medicare and Medicaid
for persons on these programs. |
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The Women, Infants,
and Children (WIC) Program was reviewed by the
Texas Department of Health staff on August 24- 26, 2004.
The program remains on probation and will be reassessed
within six (6) months. Identified issues and deficiencies
are being investigated, tracked, and evaluated for appropriate
management and for staff compliance with necessary and
required improvements.
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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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· CHEMPAK initiative
– Greg Kunkel participated in a meeting to discuss
placement of CHEMPAK assets in Southeast Texas. As a result
of this meeting, two (2) Nerve Gas Antidote caches will
be placed in Galveston County. Each cache contains enough
antidote to treat 1000 affected patients. One cache will
be located on the Island and one will be in the center
of the County. The caches are a federal project administered
by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) under the CHEMPAK
initiative. The CDC is only putting six (6) caches in
the Regional Area Council (RAC) “R”. RAC “R”
consists of nine counties on the southeast Texas coast
from Brazoria to Orange. The caches will be in place by
March of 2005. |
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Galveston EMS’s
EMT, Joe Erexson was honored by the Governor’s
Office and the Legacy of Heroes, Inc. as one of six outstanding
emergency medical service responders for 2004. Mr. Erexson
was honored for outstanding emergency services in the
Cities of Galveston and Magnolia in a ceremony held in
Weatherford, Texas on September 11, 2004. A picture of
Mr. Erexson and the other winners are posted on the web
(www.911heroes.org). Galveston EMS is very proud of Mr.
Erexson as he displays the highest standards of EMS.
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Operational Updates |
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Volunteer Program
– This month, six new were placed in the Animal
Shelter, Patient Assistance Program, Epidemiology, and
Immunizations/Senior health programs. Shirley Carr,
Volunteer Coordinator, attended the Houston Area Volunteer
Administrators "Lunch and Learn Series" during
the month of September, and The Mainland Communities
United Way Kick Off luncheon. Catherine Cooksley from
the Texas Public Health Association has offered to put
an announcement about the volunteer program in their
quarterly newsletter. For more information contact Shirley
Carr, Volunteer Coordinator, at 409.938.2298 or scarr@gchd.org.
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Rotary Clubs educated
about District Health Services – In September,
Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Guidry spoke at Dickinson
and Galveston Island Rotary Clubs and reviewed the services
provided by the Health District as well as health priorities
and other important county initiatives. The presentations
were well received and participants were enlightened on
the Health District’s broad scope of services and
asked many interesting questions regarding current health
issues in the news. For more information, contact Harlan
“Mark” Guidry, MD, MPH, Chief Executive Officer,
at 409-938-2401 or mguidry@gchd.org |
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Merit Bonuses
- Merit Bonuses will be issued by October 1, 2004. Those
employees who have documented exceptional performance
related to the priorities, goals, and/or objectives in
the Strategic Health Plan (and met all the outlined criteria)
will be receiving a bonus of 3%. For more information,
please contact Kathrine Hall, Human Resources Director
at 409.938.2230 or khall@gchd.org. |
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Salary Adjustments
- The County of Galveston implemented the final phase
of the Condrey & Associates salary survey this month.
County employees' salaries were adjusted to include longevity
pay. In order to keep similar positions paid at similar
rates, salary adjustments were made to Health District
employees' salaries based on market analysis and the availability
of funds. For more information, please contact Kathrine
Hall, Human Resources Director at 409.938.2230 or khall@gchd.org. |
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Intercom System –
A purchase order has been completed for installation of
intercom systems in both clinics and the administration
building in La Marque. Completion for the project is in
October 2004. For additional information contact W. Jay
Holland, III, Chief Operating Officer, 409-938-2401 or
jholland@gchd.org.
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On September
3, 2004, the Health District signed a contract extension
with Texas Commissioner for Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
for Air Quality Monitoring for the period
9/1/04 to 8/31/05 was signed. The amendment increased
the contact amount by $2,386. These funds will be for
air complaint responses, compliance inspections, and permit
reviews. For more information contact Ronnie Schultz,
Director of Environmental Health Services, 409.938.2214
or rschultz@gchd.org |
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On September
8, 2004, the Health District signed a contract with DSHS
for $365,685. These funds are used to provide activities
related to Public Health Preparedness planning
and operations. This is amount is less then last
year, but public health activities will not be effected
since the additional funding from last year was used to
purchase equipment and supplies that will be used throughout
this year. Contract period is 9/1/04 to 8/31/05. For more
information contact Brian Rutherford, Public Health Planner,
at 409-938-2275 or brutherford@gchd.org |
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