During February meetings both boards approved the 2006 Annual Report.  Thereport is now being printed and will be distributed to board members, elected officials, and community partners.  The report outlines progress on the 2004 Strategic Health Plan for Galveston County and cities and list future initiatives involving implementing new IT management systems and plans for facility renovations.   As presented by Dr. Guidry, the Health District has made exceptional progress in working with partners and implementing the goals in the plan far ahead of the plans time period which extends to 2010.  For the full report, see http://www.gchd.org/admin/strattoc.htm

The Galveston County Health District will observe “National Public Health Week” on April 4^th by recognizing businesses, organizations and individuals in the community that do an exceptional job of contributing to the public's health.  “We recognize that improving the health of Galveston County requires a community-wide effort.  This year we are proud to publicly recognize those whose dedication and efforts are contributing, significantly, to the health of county communities,” says Dr. Mark Guidry, the District’s Chief Executive Officer and Health Authority.  “It is an honor to recognize exceptional food safety, partner organizations, and volunteers."  On April 4th at 2 pm in the Community Room of the Island Community Center, 4700 Broadway in Galveston, the Health District will recognize the following contributions of organizations and individuals.   Also on April 4th at 7pm, the Health District will present its 10th annual “Gold Ribbon” awards to exemplary food service establishments.  The awards will be presented during a ceremony at the Wayne Johnson Community Center in La Marque beginning at 7 pm.  Galveston County Judge Jim Yarbrough will be on hand along with other city and county officials to present the prestigious food service awards. For a complete list of award recipients see: http://www.gchd.org/press/2007/03PartnersandFoodSvcRecognized.htm

Dr. Cassandra Arceneaux will assume the position of Director of Community Health Services effective April 1, 2007. Dr. Arceneaux is a board certified family physician and a preventive medicine resident.  She has served as a Ready Provider in the 4C's clinic, provided over 4 months of learning and volunteer service as a resident assigned to the Health District.  During her time at the Health District, she reviewed teen pregnancy data, organized outreach Head Start physicals, studied 4C's utilization data and presented her findings to the Governing Board, and assisted in EMS recruitment efforts.  Dr. Arceneaux will oversee all community health services and programs.  She will organize comprehensive community outreach events; will medically supervise public health programs requiring standing delegation orders (e.g., immunizations, TB, HIV/STD, breast cancer screening, etc), provide clinical preventive healthcare, serve as deputy health authority, and participate in public health preparedness activities and outbreak investigations.  Please welcome and congratulate Dr. Arceneaux who will report to Dr. Guidry, CEO.  On April 2nd, she may be reached at 409-938-2457.

Dr. Guidry and Jay Holland attended a meeting with the County Judge and elected officials of Texas City, La Marque, Dickinson, Tiki Island, Hitchcock, and Bayou Vista to discuss the current agreements forming an EMS system on the mainland and to discuss any future changes to the agreements.  There are five agreements, Inter-local Agreement for EMS System Coordination; Mutual Aid Agreement for Emergency Medical Response in Galveston County; Inter-local Agreement for Non-Emergency Transfers; and Emergency Medical Services for Unincorporated Areas of Galveston County East and West Ends.  The elected officials provided insights and directions for expected follow-up in the future.

• New dates for upcoming mammogram screenings can be found at http://www.gchd.org/pages/chn/dfeet.htm.
  
• The City of Texas City recently passed an ordinance prohibiting chaining of animals within the city limits.  The Galveston County Daily News carried a story on March 13^th about the new ordinance.  Animal Services Manager Kim Schoolcraft contributed to the story which can be found at http://www.gchd.org/press/2007/03TxCtyOrdinance.htm.
  
• Remaining animals from a puppy mill seizure in February were the subject of a story in the Galveston County Daily News on March 15^th.  In the article Animal Services Manager Kim Schoolcraft providing information on seizure animals still at the shelter.  For the complete story http://www.gchd.org/press/2007/03PuppyMillUpdt.htm.
  
• Warmer weather and some recent rainfall contributed to the season’s first Beach Watch advisories being posted.  Current advisories can always be found at http://www.gchd.org/pollution/BeachAdvisory.htm.
  
• Members of the Galveston EMS were complimented in a letter to the editor published in the Galveston County Daily News on March 16^th.  The writer had an accident with injuries at his home and utilized the services of EMS.  He felt the care he received was exceptional and stated so in the letter.  http://www.gchd.org/press/2007/03EMS.htm.
  
• March is National Nutrition Month which is reflected on the www.gchd.org web site.  Informational links are provided to our local WIC program and Diabetes Self Management program.  There is an additional link to a CDC site promoting healthy weight management.
  
• District activities surrounding National Public Health Week were the subject of a press release issued on March 26^th at www.gchd.org/press/2007/03PartnersandFoodSvcRecognized.htm. Community Partners and Gold Ribbon recipients were included in the release. 

• On March 8, 2007 Jimmie Powell LCSW our family counselor, returned to the 4C’s clinic.
  
• Clinic Leadership Team – The CLT has approved three new medications to the formulary; CHANTIX and LYRICA were placed on the Share the Care Program, and Ethylchloride which will be used in-house only and stocked in the Purchasing Department.
  
• On-line Ordering – Texas Association of Community Health Centers (TACHC) had a Cardinal Pharmaceutical Ordering Web cast on Friday, March 2nd. This web cast gave instructions on the capabilities of the Cardinal Ordering System to better track drug orders and increase effective efficiencies on the ordering system. Central Supply has been using the Cardinal Ordering System, however, knowledge gained has allowed Central Supply to increase point of service accessibility and allow multiple users.

• Donations to 4C’s – The 4C’s has been awarded two donations in March for an estimated total savings of $39,754.  (1) Schering-Plough recently has made a generous donation of 432 Albuterol inhalers for an estimated savings of $9205 and (2) Direct Relief has made a donation of various items from medications to hand sanitizers for an estimated savings of $30,549.
  
• Medicare Cost Report – The annual Medicare cost report for the period ending 9/30/2006 was submitted to CMS on February 28, 2006.  The report provides reconciliation between ;our actual costs and the amount we were reimbursed per Medicare visit. Based on information reported during this period,a reimbursement of $73,843 has been estimated.
• Dental Clinic – There are currently 3 vacant Dental Assistant positions; however we are currently utilizing temporary services until these positions are filled.

•  Immunization Advisory Council – On March 6^th the Council met to discuss plans for National Public Health Week (April 2-8), National Infant Immunization Week (April 22-28) and Governor Perry’s Order on HPV.  The council provided valuable input for activities and incentives to attract participates to receive required immunizations.  The next meeting is tentatively set for June 5, 2007, when the council will discuss plans for the Back to School Campaign event held in August.
  
• Immunization DSHS Regional Review – On March 12th, the Regional DSHS staff performed the annual site visit of the La Marque, Texas City, Dickinson, and Galveston Immunization sites.  The entire tool of 61 questions was reviewed for each site and the official report is still to come (comments in the exit interview were positive).  The immunization rates of 4-3-1-3-3-1 at these sites was evaluated - Dickinson and Texas City improved since last year's visit, Galveston went down, and La Marque had no children in that age bracket to evaluate. 
  
• Breast and Cervical Cancer - A mid year grant adjustment award of 4557.00 was received in March.  This will allow us to perform diagnostic testing, mammograms screenings and follow for approximately 26 more women.  We are working on a competing grant application for FY ’08 BCCS program.  This grant application is due April 6^th to DSHS.
  
• State HIV/Prevention QA Audit – The HIV/Prevention program was evaluated on January 30-February 1^st.  The result of the site visit was received on March 19^th with the overall outcome of the site visit to be satisfactory.  There were four findings out over 60 items that were reviewed that required a corrective action plan (CAP) for each.  The CAPs were sent via email on March 27, 2007.

• Presentation to City of Kemah – Kim Schoolcraft and Ronnie Schultz updated the Kemah City Council on current and proposed policies of the Health District concerning dangerous dogs.  The council was provided information on the current policy of the Health District that requires owners of dangerous dogs to register the dog, provide proof of liability insurance or financial responsibility, proof of alteration of the animal, and compliance with the enclosure requirements.  In addition, changes to the proposed policy were provided such as the requirement to microchip the animal, the use of a high visibility collar marked with “dangerous dog,” and the changes to the appeal process including reduced time of the owner to appeal.  Kim spoke about dangerous dogs in general and the procedure that Animal Services follows to have a dog declared.  The council was provided a copy of the draft Animal Services Policy and was encouraged to review and comment on the document.
  
• Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Scoring Committee - Marty Entringer presented information to the CDBG Scoring Committee concerning the need to fund the High Island Wastewater Treatment project.  As previously reported, this project will provide funding to low income residents needing financial assistance to install an on-site sewage facility in order to remove them from the current illegal collection and treatment system.  Galveston County’s project scored eighth out of 33 projects submitted.  As of this date, the District has not been notified about the funding; however the chances are great that we will receive the funding.
  
• Kudos to Animal Services – Kurt Koopmann, Kim Schoolcraft and George Fuller with the City of Texas City met with a reporter from KHOU Channel 11 at the animal shelter.   The interview was concerning the City of Texas City’s recent ordinance addressing chaining or tethering of dogs and the fact that chained or tethered dogs become more aggressive of their area and are involved in more biting incidents.  The reporter filmed footage of animals at the shelter and made the comment that he covers many animal stories and he feels that the District’s shelter is always the best facility that he visits and the staff are always helpful.  Kudos to Kim Schoolcraft and the hard working staff at Animal Services.
  
• Upcoming Event - The Office of Environmental Health Programs continue to work on two major events, Trash Bash and the Gold Ribbon Awards.  Trash Bash is scheduled for March 31 at the Texas City Dike where approximately 700 volunteers are expected to clean up the solid waste off of the dike.  Following the cleanup, volunteers will be treated to lunch, provided with tokens of appreciation and the first ever Trash Bash Olympics for the kids.  We cordially invite members of the Board to both of these events. 

• Placement Agreement with The Dental Solutions, Inc. was signed by COO on March 9^th for both the Galveston and Texas City clinics.  This business will refer dentists, dental hygienists and dental assistants to GCHD.
      
• The Clinic Lab Supply bid was awarded to McKesson, PSS, and Sacks Medical for one-year.  COO approval the bid award on March 16^th.
  
• The Gulf Coast Center Business Associate and Shared Data Access Agreement was signed on March 16^th by COO.  This agreement allows GCHD to participate and collaborate in the Healthy Communities Access Program grant award to GCC. 
  
• GAAA Ambulance Service Contract with A-Med Community Hospice was signed by COO in March. The agreement has a provision stating the term is for two-years commencing on January 1, 2006 regardless of the date of execution.  GAAA is to provide ambulance transportation of patients out of Hospice to and from local clinics and hospitals at two different levels.  The rates for patients being transported into or out of the facility one-way are at Level One the base rate is $195.00 and at Level Two the base rate is $75.00.  There is a $50.00 per hour fee for wait time.  And, a mileage fee of $5.00 per mile for traveling outside of Galveston County.
  
• The University of Texas at Galveston entered into an Agreement with GCHD to provide partial funding for a case manager position.  The agreement has a provision stating the term is effect from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2007, regardless of the date of execution.  This position contacts Galveston County residents who have presented to the UTMB Emergency Room and who have been referred by UTMB to the 4C’s Clinic for chronic medical conditions.  This position helps to reduce emergency room visits and cost. 
  
• Memorandum of Understanding with Galveston College was signed by COO on March 20^th.  The agreement establishes procedures for the use of students as volunteers for dispensing sites for the Strategic National Stockpile or other public health emergencies.