Minutes Archive

Board of Health Minutes

Calhoun County Board of Health
Meeting Minutes
April 21, 2008

ATTENDANCE

Board of Health	Health Department
Dr. Jeffrey Mitchell, Chair	Dottie-Kay Bowersox
Rick Tsoumas, Vice Chair	John Eva
Larry Anderson	Dr. Gregory Harrington
Dr. Mahesh Karamchandani	Paul Makoski
	Bob Overley
	Brigette Reichenbaugh

County Administration	Other
Nancy Mullett	Elizabeth Huff
Greg Purcell
Mark Stuhldreher
Wendee Woods

Absent
Kathy Foerster, Excused
Ken Ponds, Excused
Eusebio Solis

BOH meeting called to order at 8:02 am beginning with introductions. Tsoumas moved approval of the agenda. Anderson supported. All approved.

Eva presented financial reports. Loss represents payment timeliness including restaurant revenues, cigarette tax, Student Health Center billing, etc.

Harrington presented on the tuberculosis (TB) cases in Calhoun County. Bowersox noted that CCPHD staff reviews treatment plans and options with other high-risk areas. Tsoumas asked what is being done to protect staff and healthcare workers working directly with TB patients. Harrington noted there is no effective vaccination. CCPHD administers TB skin tests, direct observation therapy (DOT), and masks. Tsoumas asked if the Board can meet w/State Representatives for assistance with procedural changes for immigrants entering the Country and for TB funding assistance. MALPH and politicians can provide assistance. Make representatives aware of the issue to contain and limit the number of cases. Tsoumas suggested drafting a Communicable Disease (CD)/TB request for support. He suggested checking with other public health departments to develop a solution for congress to review. Purcell suggested Health Officer and Medical Director to contact other communities to present and discuss possible solutions.

Reporter Huff: Harrington asked Huff to be very cautious with her presentation, primarily due to a potential risk/community backlash to the Burmese population. There is a potential for risk to the community, not exclusively to the Burmese population. TB in the U.S. is very low due to treatment availability. County residents are not at risk because of preventative efforts. CCPHD citizens should not be alarmed. CCPHD team members are on top of Calhoun County treatment and prevention following CCPHD mission “to promote, protect, and prevent…”

Tsoumas noted a budget process calendar will be presented at the next meeting.

Health Officer Resignation. Tsoumas moved approval. Anderson supported. All in favor. Mitchell thanked Bowersox and indicated she did a great job under trying circumstances. A search committee including board and community members will be finalized. A Masters Degree and 3-year public health or a Bachelors Degree and 5+ years experience is required to fulfill interim Health Officer. Purcell indicated that discussion has evolved about potential candidates. Interim expected for 6-8 weeks. Mitchell asked if Board members were comfortable with Mitchell and Purcell selecting an interim health officer. Anderson, Tsoumas, and Karamchandani supported the process.

Stuhldreher will serve as a resource with Eva reporting and Tsoumas leading the budget committee in the interim. Bowersox last day is May 2, 2008. Woods and Mullett will provide assistance as well.

Meeting adjourned 9:43 am. Anderson moved. Tsoumas seconded. Adjourned.

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Marshall, MI 49068
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