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2004 Progress Report: Strategic
Health Plan (2004 - 2010) |
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2005 Texas Public Health
Association Conference |
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County Epi News: Flu & Shigella |
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Office of Public Information Updates
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Animal control |
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District brochure |
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Galveston United Way Children’s Community Investment
Initiative |
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Environmental assessment
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Childhood obesity |
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Animal services |
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Exotic pets |
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Flu vaccine |
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Sanitation and Odors |
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National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness day |
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Meeting with other Public Information Officer’s |
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EMS ambulance hijacked |
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Paint and Pizza Party |
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Limited consumption of speckled trout |
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Office of Community Health Programs Updates |
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New TB Program Manager |
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New WIC Program Manager |
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Immunizations |
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Senior Health |
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Robert Wood Johnson Community Supports for Diabetes Self
Management |
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In-Service for Friendswood ISD Nurses |
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Office of Environmental Health
Services Updates |
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High Island Sewage Concerns
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Hazardous Material Incident |
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Pit Bull Seizure |
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Public Outreach Events |
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Trash Bash |
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Paint and Pizza Party |
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Animal Euthanasia Certification |
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4C’s Clinic Updates |
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Town hall Meeting
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4C's Re-engineering Team |
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4C's Clinic Provider and Nursing Vacancies |
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Unformed Data System (UDS) Report
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Brazosport Medical Center (BMC) Update |
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HRSA Service Expansion Grant Opportunity
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Hogg Foundation Grant Application
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NurseLine |
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Office of Emergency Medical Services
Updates |
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2004 Response Totals |
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Bike Team responds on new grant funded bicycles
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Radiological Awareness Class |
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EMS Ambulance Hijacked |
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Other Service and Operational
Updates |
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Awareness of Childhood Lead Poisoning |
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Galveston County Emergency Response Collaborative |
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Public health preparedness staff collaborated
with Jesse Tree |
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Department of State Health Services Review (DSHS |
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Change in Health Insurance |
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Volunteer Office |
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Agreements and Contracts Executed |
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HIV/Ryan White |
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HIV Administration
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Agreements with the Friendswood Independent
School District & the College of the Mainland |
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| 2004 Progress Report: Strategic
Health Plan (2004 - 2010) |
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In January 2004, the Galveston County United
Board of Health and the 4C’s Governing Board adopted its first Strategic Health
Plan (on the District website: www.gchd.org ) with eight (8) health priorities
and goals to guide the Galveston County Health District’s activities through the
year 2010. Both boards in January 2005 meetings approved the Health District’s
2004 progress report. The report includes an executive summary and a detailed
reported of progress and areas for future improvement for each of the
priorities. In the past year, Health District staff, advisory groups, and
community stakeholders have worked deliberately and successfully on the county
health priorities and goals for each. 2004 accomplishments lay the foundation
for addressing more challenging goals over the next several years. The Strategic
Health Plan has been embraced by employees of the Health District and used as a
guide for all activities and services provided through the Health District.
Commended for support of exceptional improvements in one year are: local elected
officials, board members, a large number of community partners, and dedicated
Health District staff. A special appreciation to the Strategic Plan Evaluator,
Public Health Planner, Executive Assistant, & Public Information Officer for
extensive work in coordinating with staff, compiling the report and
presentation, and arranging for copies which will be distributed to all member
governments. A powerpoint presentation summary of progress can be found at
www.gchd.org/admin/strat04progress.htm For more information, please
contact Harlan “Mark” Guidry, MD, MPH, Chief Executive Officer, at (409)
938-2401 or email mguidry@gchd.org |
| 2005 Texas Public Health Association Conference
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From January 19th through the 21st,
the Health District hosted the Texas Public Health Association’s Regional
Conference. A record number of attendees from around the state attended the
highly successful conference held at the Tremont House Hotel in Galveston to
learn about important topics in community health, administration, preparedness,
and environmental health. Participants also had the option of attending a Basic
Disaster Life Support Class where doctors, nurses and first responders could
learn about disaster response strategies. United Board of Health Vice-Chairman,
Ben Raimer, MD, provided an outstanding Keynote Speech addressing workforce and
other issues; United Board of Health Treasurer/Secretary, Mary Anne Holcomb;
United Board of Health and Governing Board Member, Milton Howard, DDS; and
Governing Board Chairman, Brian Maxwell, shared their insights into public
health at the conference’s panel discussion. Mary Anne Holcomb also participated
in the information presentation on Strategic Health Planning. The efforts of the
planning committee were highly commended. TPHA has requested that the Health
District sponsor the Annual conference in 2007. For more information, contact
Brian Rutherford, Public Health Planner, at (409) 938-2275, or email brutherford@gchd.org. |
| County Epi News: Flu & Shigella |
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The Health District’s Epidemiology staff have
investigated a cluster of shigellosis in 2 Galveston ISD schools. Within 3 weeks
between January and February, there were a total of 5 students confirmed with
this illness. Information about the illness was sent home with the students that
outline the cause of the condition, symptoms and prevention methods. Currently,
the school nurses and teachers are vigilantly working with students to wash
their hands thoroughly, in addition, to sending anyone home that develops
diarrhea. Flu activity throughout the state of Texas is widespread. Since
January, Galveston County has reported a total of 21 confirmed cases of
Influenza A and B. A new strain of flu has been identified in California.
However, there have been no reports of this strain in our state. There remains a
good match between circulating flu strains and vaccine strains in Texas. For
more information, contact Dana Wiltz-Beckham, DVM, Chief Epidemiologist, at
(409) 938-2322 or email dbeckham@gchd.org
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| Office of Public Information
For more information please contact Kurt Koopmann, Public Information Officer,
at 409.938.2211, email
kkoopman@gchd.org
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On January 4, 2005 the Public Information office
coordinated arrangements for a reporter with the Houston Chronicle to interview
Ronnie Schultz, Director of Environmental Health Programs; and Michele Reynolds,
Animal Services Manager. The subject of the interview was animal control
in the Bacliff, and San Leon areas of Galveston County.
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Bids were accepted and opened on January 4, 2005
for the District brochure being developed with funds from a Mainland
Communities United Way Grant. Three bids were opened and a contract awarded to
Minuteman Printing in Galveston, Texas.
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Kurt Koopmann, Public Information Officer
attended the first meeting of the
Galveston United Way Children’s Community Investment Initiative on January
5, 2005. The meeting was held at UTMB and attendees represented many local
agencies providing a variety of services to families and children. The group
will be examining issues and developing principles that will guide future Medicals.
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On the afternoon of January 5, 2005 Fox 26 News
Houston conducted an interview with Ronnie Schultz, Director of Environmental
Health Programs. The subject of the interview was the recent completion of an
environmental assessment
conducted at Galveston County Road & Bridge facilities in Dickinson and Bolivar.
The story was aired on January 6, 2005. |
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Laura Elder a reporter with the Galveston Daily
News writing a story on childhood obesity contacted the Public Information
Office on January 5, 2005. Dr. Guidry was interviewed regarding the public
health impact of obesity. The story is set to run in the March “Horizons”
edition of the paper. |
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In response to a letter submitted by a citizen
concerned with animal services
in the Bacliff area Michelle Reynolds submitted a guest column to the Galveston
Daily News about improvements made in the past year. The letter published on
January 13, 2005 can be found at
www.gchd.org/press/2005/01AnimalSvcEditorial.htm The citizen
that wrote the original letter again submitted a Letter-To-The-Editor thanking
the district for its openness and changes made in the provision of animal
services. This letter can be viewed at
www.gchd.org/press/2005/01AnimalSvcEditorialRespnse.htm
.
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The Public Information Officer assisted a
reporter with the Galveston Daily News on January 6, 2005 to write a story on
exotic pets in Galveston County. |
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A press release was issued on January 11, 2005
informing the public that additional flu vaccine had become available in
Galveston County with information on how to access a flu shot:
www.gchd.org/press/2005/01AddtlFluVaccine.htm. The Galveston Daily
News printed an editorial on January 13, 2005 encouraging those needing a flu
shot to take advantage of the additional vaccine. This important message can be
found with the following link
www.gchd.org/press/2005/01AddtlFluVaccineNews.htm |
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During the last week of January a taxidermy shop
in Texas City lost a freezer and with it several carcasses. A reporter from the
Galveston Daily News contacted the District after a resident had raised concerns
about sanitation and odors. The reporter was informed that a complaint
had been received and investigated by the Office of Environmental Health
Programs. The shop cleaned and sanitized the location and at no time was public
health compromised. The resulting story was printed in the January 25, 2005
edition of the News
www.gchd.org/press/2005/01Taxidermist.htm |
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The Public Information Officer assisted Jim
Hilton, Director of HIV/STD Control with developing a guest column promoting
awareness on
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness day on February 7, 2005. The column was
published on the 7th and can be seen at
www.gchd.org/press/2005/02Aids.htm |
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On February 7, 2005 the Public Information
Officer attended a meeting with other Public Information Officer’s (PIOs) in the
community and a representative from the Galveston Daily News. The editor in
attendance gave an update on the changes at the News and how that may impact
local news coverage. Other entities represented at the meeting included; UTMB,
Corps of Engineers, Galveston Independent School District, Port of Galveston,
City of Galveston, and Galveston College. |
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A Galveston EMS ambulance was hijacked the
evening of February 8, 2005 and became the subject of an article the next day
published in the Galveston Daily News
<http://www.galvnews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=77f6202310cfa778>. ABC news affiliate KTRK-TV in Houston aired a story on the hijacking during the 10 p.m. newscast on
February 9, 2005. Reporter Darren Lyn interviewed the two employees that were
on-board when the ambulance was hijacked while transporting a patient to UTMB. |
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A press release was issued February 14, 2005
promoting a “Paint and Pizza Party” to be held at the District’s animal shelter
in Texas City. The event is being sponsored by the Friends of the Galveston
County Animal Shelter and will be held on February 20, 2005. The following link
contains information on the event
www.gchd.org/press/2005/02AnimalsBenefit.htm |
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Information on an advisory issued by the State
Department of Health Services was posted on the District web site February 15,
2005. Visitors to the GCHD web site are directed to the advisory as issued by
the DSHS. The advisory issued in January advises limited consumption of speckled
trout caught in the upper Galveston Bay system. The information can be found at
www.dshs.state.tx.us/news/releases/20050128.shtm .
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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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New TB Program Manager
- Syed Haidry, MD, MPH, joined the Health District's TB Program as the
Program Manager on Monday, February 14, 2005. Dr. Haidry was medically trained
in Pakistan and received his Masters in Public Health from the University of
Alabama. He is coming to us from the Texas Department of State Health Services
where he was the TB Program Manager for several years. |
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New WIC Program Manager - Tiffany Rice joined the
Health District's WIC Program as the Program Manager on Tuesday, January 18,
2005. Tiffany has her B.S in Dietetics and a Master's Degree in Health Care
Administration. Tiffany has over nine years' of experience in local WIC
Programs. Ms. Rice was introduced to Commissioner Holmes on February 11, 2005
and had a discussion about WIC being on probation and plans for improvement. |
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Immunizations - Additional influenza
vaccine was released in early January. On January 11, the guidelines for the flu
vaccine were expanded and on January 25, all persons over the age of six (6)
months became eligible to receive the vaccine. Response to the vaccine
availability has been less than anticipated. The Immunization Program Manager
and the new Immunization Reminder Clerk have been developing and testing plans
to increase immunization compliance rates (for example, pulling the lists of
children with future appointments and their immunization cards and notifying the
4 C’s clinic nurses that the child is due for immunizations).
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Senior Health - GCHD staff and volunteers
attended the Senior Expo where they gave out approximately 225 Seniors Critical
Numbers lists, 200 volunteer flyers, 50 flyers on adult immunizations, and 100
Public Health Preparedness flyers. The Senior Health Advisory Council met on
February 8 and 22, 2005. The council continues to work on the Health District
brochure and are reviewing the results from the senior health surveys conducted
by volunteers from the UTMB School of Nursing and the County Extension Service.
Preliminary results suggest that one problem is the lack of information
available on community resources for senior citizens. |
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Robert Wood Johnson Community Supports for
Diabetes Self Management - New community collaborations related to this
project include St. Vincent’s House’s Community Program to Improve Minority
Health and the Mainland Medical Center’s Diabetes Education Program. Staff is
working with the County Extension Agent to develop a set of cooking classes for
people who have completed the basic diabetes education. Since the program’s
inception, cooking classes have been the most requested follow-up program. |
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In-Service for Friendswood ISD Nurses- On
January 4, 2005, an in-service was held for Friendswood ISD nurses on disease
reporting, childhood immunizations and the role that community health nursing
plays in academia. Staff from the Immunization, Community Health Nursing and the
Epidemiology programs provided the training.
|
| 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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High Island Sewage Concerns - On February
3, 2005, the Environmental Health Program hosted a meeting of agencies
interested in finding a solution to the High Island sewage discharge problems.
Corrective action plans were discussed to resolve the issue of the sewage
discharge. The District has identified many houses that are likely connected to
the illegal collection and disposal system. In order to verify our field
assumptions, a dye test must be conducted on each of the suspected lines. In
order to complete this test, it will be necessary to install several inspection
ports along the collection system. Once all of the houses are identified,
corrective action planning may proceed. |
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Hazardous Material Incident - On
Thursday, February 10, the Health District’s on-call system was notified of a
possible bio-terrorism incident in the Dickinson area. Health District field
representative Garret Foskit was dispatched to the scene to provide field
technical assistance to the team that included Federal Bureau of Investigations
(FBI), Dickinson Fire Department and the Texas City Hazardous Material Unit. The
FBI received the call that nerve agent literature and a hand held “pump-up”
sprayer was found inside a storage building. The material was identified as a
pesticide and was properly disposed of by the FBI |
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Pit Bull Seizure - Animal Services Staff
responded to a citizen inquiry by obtaining a warrant to seize 21 pit bulls from
a repeat offender with a history of breeding and selling pits for the purposes
of fighting. Officer Weller and Animal Services Manager Reynolds were required
to appear in court that subsequently ordered humanely euthanasia of the pit
bulls. In addition, staff has been very busy conducting nighttime sweeps of the
San Leon/Bacliff area in response to citizen concerns about animals
running-at-large in the nighttime hours. The sweeps netted six dogs and one
injured cat. Animal Services pamphlets explaining our regulations were
distributed and six citations were issued for various ordinance violations |
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Public Outreach Events
- Michele Reynolds, Animal Services Manager, made a presentation to the La
Marque Kiwanis Club on January 24th. She spoke about the services provided by
our Animal Services Division and about the challenges facing animal control
agencies today. Garret Foskit, Nuisance Abatement Officer, addressed the Port
Bolivar Chamber of Commerce attended by approximately 40 citizens and
Commissioner Pat Doyle. Garret discussed the role of nuisance abatement on the
Peninsula and the special projects nuisance abatement has participated in to
assure clean beaches. In addition, he spoke about the placement of a trailer to
collect waste tires from citizens in attempt to reduce the amount of tires
illegally dumped in the area. Ronnie Schultz along with Anna Ludwig and Eugene
Martinez spoke to and entertained over 300 students at four Galveston schools
with our Wally Wiseguy program. Wally teaches kids what to do in the event of a
chemical emergency. This educational program on “Sheltering in Place” was
presented at the monthly C.H.I.C.K.E.N. club meeting held at these schools |
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Trash Bash - The twelfth annual Rivers,
Lake, Bay’s ‘N Bayou Trash Bash celebration is scheduled for March 12, 2005.
Volunteers from all over Galveston County and as far away as Channelview will
ascend on the Texas City Dike to give it a good cleaning. This annual
environmental project raises awareness about illegal dumping of waste materials
and raises awareness about the continual increase in the amount of waste
illegally dumped each year. Following our project, the volunteers are invited to
join us back at the environmental exposition where educational materials will be
distributed from our exposition exhibitors. In addition, our volunteers will be
provided lunch, a thank you gift, door prizes, entertainment, and games for the
kids. The District, once again, is the committee chair and has been working with
the both the local and regional Trash Bash committees. The Texas City Trash Bash
is one of three trash bash locations in Galveston County and one of 13 regional
sites located throughout the Houston-Galveston area. |
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|
Paint and Pizza Party- A painting party
sponsored by the Friends of the Galveston County Animal Shelter was held on
Sunday, February 20, 2005. Approximately 12 volunteers donated their time,
paintbrushes, ladders, and more to freshen up the walls at the animal shelter.
Now that this phase is complete, the graphic artists will come in and paint
animal friendly graphics on the walls to make the shelter more attractive to the
public. To say thanks, the volunteers were treated to a wonderful pizza lunch.
The District would like to commend Board Member Mary Anne Holcomb for assisting
in the planning and implementation of the event and also for arranging for the
graphic artists. In addition, the District would like to thank Michele Reynolds,
Animal Services Manager, for all of her dedicated efforts and countless hours to
improving the Animal Services Division. |
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Animal Euthanasia Certification- On
January 28, 2005, the Health District sponsored an 8 hour euthanasia training
course for 41 participants representing Galveston, Brazoria, Harris, Matagorda,
and Hays County. The course consisted of approved methods of euthanasia, animal
restraint, and stress management. As a result of this course, participants will
meet the state mandate for euthanasia certification by January 2005. For more
information, contact Dana Wiltz-Beckham, DVM, Chief Epidemiologist/Veterinary
Consultant, at (409) 938-2322 or email dbeckham@gchd.org |
| 4C’s Clinic Updates
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|
|
Town hall Meeting - On February 9, 2005,
Dr. Guidry presented the Strategic Health Plan Report 2004 presentation during
the 4C’s In-Service. A question and answer session was held at the conclusion of
the presentation for employees.
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4C's Re-engineering Team - The 4C's
re-engineering process has begun. Teams for the Texas City site and the
Galveston site have been chosen, and are meeting to assess the current visit
process in our facilities. These teams will participate in extensive training
and analysis in re-engineering the 4C's patient visit experience. The teams will
be introduced to the 4C's Governing Board at their February meeting |
|
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4C's Clinic Provider and Nursing Vacancies-
In February, several providers and nursing staff members of the 4C's Clinic
resigned from the Health District to begin working at the new VA Clinics in
Galveston County. We appreciate the services each of these employees has
provided 4C's patients over the years, and wish them the very best. Since their
resignations, we have posted the open positions and advertised widely. New
providers include: Franklin Haynes PA-C; Thomas D. Hawkins, RN, MSN, FNP-BC; and
Comfort Moore, RN, MSN, FNP. New nursing staff members include: Salomon
Sosa-Medical Aide; Diana Lopez-Medical Aide; and Tracy Swick, LVN. To date, the
following positions remain open: 1-physician; 1-midlevel provider, and 1-RN.
Additional vacancies include a lab technician and a medical coder. In addition,
there are two dentists and one hygienist position vacancies. A contract
hygienist is schedule to begin in March that will work two days at the Texas
City clinic. |
|
|
Unformed Data System (UDS) Report - On
February 15, 2005, staff submitted the CY 2004 UDS report of 4C’s clinical
activities to the Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC). This report showed
increases in the number of total users served, the number of uninsured users
served and in the number of encounters provided to all users. A summary of the
report will be posted on the Governing Board website. |
|
|
Brazosport Medical Center (BMC) Update -
Staff continues to evaluate the affiliation of the 4C’s Clinics with the
Brazosport Medical Center (BMC). Current activities include: the attorneys
continue to work on the by-laws and co-applicant agreement issue; staff
continues to review material for the “due diligence” process; and on January 14,
2005, several staff members visited the BMC site to view the clinic/equipment
and to get a briefing from Father Michael Gemignani, Board Chair of Brazosport
Medical Center. |
|
|
HRSA Service Expansion Grant Opportunity -
The 4C's clinic has made an application for a Service Expansion Grant to the
Health Resource Services Administration. The two-year grant is intended to
expand services provided to patients in the areas of Mental Health and Substance
Abuse treatment. If awarded, the grant would allow case managers to streamline
the process so that the 4C's counselor would be able to assist more patients
with mild to moderate mental illness. The application was delivered on January
7, 2005. HRSA expects to announce the award of grants on April 30, 2005. |
|
|
Hogg Foundation Grant Application - The
Hogg Foundation for Mental Illness research announced their Special Mental
Health Services Initiative (SMHSI). This grant opportunity is intended to
replace services lost to recent mental Health funding cuts, or to address the
increased demand placed on other health care providers because of mental health
spending cuts by federal, state and local governments. The 4C's has chosen to
apply for one time funding under this initiative. The grant, if awarded would
provide additional capacity to see 4C's patients with mild to moderate mental
illness. The application was sent in on January 31, 2005. The Hogg Foundation
expects to announce the award of grants on April 15, 2005 |
|
|
NurseLine calls have continued to rise in
number; topping out at 809 calls in January. Of those, 655 appointments were
made for patients within a few days and 26 same-day appointments were made.
Walk-in patients to both clinic sites numbered 553 in January. Before NurseLine
was developed, clinics were assisting up to 1330 walk-in patients each month |
|
Office of Emergency Medical Services Updates:
For more information, please contact Greg Kunkel, GAAA Operating Chief,
409.765-2524 or gkunkel@gchd.org |
|
|
2004 Response Totals
- GAAA ambulances responded to 12,578 requests for service in 2004. 10,007
emergency responses and 2,571 non-emergency transports. It is the second
straight year of more than 10,000 emergency calls. In 2003 we responded to
12,750 calls. 10,069 emergency responses and 2,681 non-emergency transports. |
|
|
Bike Team responds on new grant funded
bicycles - EMS's bike team responded to 30 requests for medical aid at the
Mardi Gras event using eight new TREK bicycles. The new bikes were purchased
with grant money graciously donated from the Kempner Fund. Bike teams are
invaluable during mass gathering events as they can navigate through crowds
quicker and can provide treatment for "aid" calls, thus freeing up ambulances
for more serious calls. |
|
|
Radiological Awareness Class - The
training division of the EMS co-hosted three days of radiological awareness
training. The class instructors were from the Department of State Health
Services' Community Prepardness Program. In attendance were Health District
Staff, City of Galveston Haz-Mat Team members, Galveston Firefighters, Galveston
County Sheriff Officials, and EMS personnel. The training took place at the
Island Community Clinic. It featured both classroom and hands-on monitor skills. |
|
|
EMS Ambulance Hijacked
- On Tuesday, February 8, a GAAA ambulance was hijacked after attempting to
assist a man, who appeared to be in trouble. The middle aged man flagged down
the ambulance, while it was transporting a patient to the hospital. He stated
that he was being shot at. After a slight struggle the paramedic driving the
ambulance was forced out and the man began driving away. During this time both
paramedics were on two different radio channels calling for assistance.
Galveston Port Police were the first to respond and stop the ambulance after it
had only driven a block. Three fire trucks and an additional ambulance boxed the
ambulance in, and then rescued the patient and second paramedic. No one was
injured in the incident and the patient only experienced a few minute delay in
her transport. Multiple criminal charges are pending for the man. GAAA is
reviewing its safety policies to safer deal with "flag downs".
|
|
Other Operational Updates |
|
|
Awareness of Childhood Lead Poisoning-
During the month of January, Epidemiology staff presented information concerning
the importance of getting children tested for lead poisoning to approximately 65
College of the Mainland Wellness Health Fair participants. The lead presentation
included information on how lead enters the body, health risk, how to reduce the
risk of lead poisoning and common sources of lead. For more information, contact
Dana Wiltz-Beckham, DVM, Chief Epidemiologist, at (409) 938-2322 or email dbeckham@gchd.org
|
|
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The Galveston County Emergency Response
Collaborative met on Thursday, Jan 13th and Thursday, Feb 10th. In the
course of these two meetings, the group decided to proceed in scheduling Risk
Communication training for response agency PIOs, pursue additional information
on the smallpox vaccination classes being developed through the Texas Department
of State Health Services, Mainland Medical will host a meeting to develop plans
for Chempack (a program to provide chemical antidotes to victims and responders
in a chemical agent attack), and the group decided to move forward in the
creation of a Medical Reserve Corps for Galveston County. The Medical Reserve
Corps is a volunteer program for medical professionals to provide local
assistance in emergencies. For more information, contact Brian Rutherford,
Public Health Planner, at (409) 938-2275 or email brutherford@gchd.org
|
|
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On February 4th,
public health preparedness staff collaborated with Jesse Tree, in a
presentation to attendees of the Texas City Food Fair. Approximately 100 people
were present. Attendees were given information about current preparedness
activities within the Health District, things they can do to prepare for
emergencies, ways to protect themselves and others from the spread of infectious
disease, and the need for volunteers in emergency response. On January 24th and
25th, Health District staff, in collaboration with United Board of Health member
Ted Hanley from the Jesse Tree, conducted presentations regarding Public Health
Preparedness to community volunteers. Attendees were given information on Health
District Preparedness activities and were informed about the roles of volunteers
in the event mass vaccination or dispensing clinics are needed in Galveston
County. Health District staff will move forward with the valuable contacts from
these meetings to continue to build a volunteer base to prepare for and respond
to public health emergencies. For more information, contact Brian Rutherford,
Public Health Planner, at (409) 938-2275 or email
brutherford@gchd.org
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|
|
Department of State Health Services Review
(DSHS) conducted a site visit on February 15, 16 and 17. Auditors examined
the WIC, Family Planning, Texas Health Steps (well child exams) and Breast and
Cervical Cancer Screening Services programs. Although staff was commended for
many instances of high quality care, recommendations were also made for
improvements in some areas. The HIV Prevention Program was also reviewed by DSHS
on January 26-28, 2005. The official written reports of findings for both
reviews are expected in six weeks. For more information, please contact Pam
Jahnke, RN, Strategic Plan Evaluator, at (409) 938-2256 or email pjahnke@gchd.org
|
|
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Change in Health Insurance - Changes to
the health insurance will be effective March 1, 2005. The majority of the
changes will affect only out-of-network benefits but there are some new things
added to the plan like mail-in prescription benefits. Although the cost for
employee only increased by $105, none of the increase was passed on to the
employee. For more information, contact Kathrine Hall, Human Resources Director,
at (409) 938-2230 or email khall@gchd.org
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Volunteer Office - Since December 2004,
the Office of Volunteer Coordination has placed 36 new community volunteers in
various departments within the Health District. In addition to actively
recruiting volunteers, the Volunteer Coordinator attended several wellness
activities and meetings throughout the county. Information regarding our
volunteer program was disseminated to participants and an exhibit focusing on
the Health District’s volunteer program was displayed. For more information,
contact Shirley Carr, Volunteer Coordinator, at (409) 938-2438 or email
scarr@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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HIV/Ryan White contract to
ensure comprehensive outpatient health services for individuals and families
identified with HIV was signed on February 8, 2005 for $465,369. This is an
increase of $19,149 from the previous contract
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HIV Administration contract
was signed on January 7, 2005. The contract in the amount of $149,874 is to
participate in HOPWA that helps meet the housing needs of low income people
living with AIDS and related diseases
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Agreements with the Friendswood Independent School District and the College of
the Mainland to use their facilities and resources in the event of a Public
Health Emergency - in the event mass vaccinations or antibiotic dispensing
clinics are needed to protect Galveston County residents from an infectious
disease outbreak or bioterrorist attack. |
