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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Citizens Advisory Health Board - 09/17/2003 . V V Minutes CITIZENS ADVISORY HEALTH BOARD September 17,2003 Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health District 1702 Home Road,Administration Conference Room Members Present: Rose Caballero,Chair,Melinda Gonzales, Vice-Chair,Karen Beard,Gloria Farias,Leo Banera, and Larry Bittle Members Absent: Blanca R. Garcia,Ph.D.,Tony C. Diaz, Ph.D, and Amanda Stukenberg Health District: Dr. Silvers Timeline! Meeting Outline Minutes Action Taken Responsible Party Call to Order Rose Caballero,Chair,called the meeting to order at Leo Barren arrived at 3:05pm,noting that there was not a quorum present. 3:06pm;a quorum was now present. Opening Call for approval of minutes. Ms.Caballero requested A motion was made and Remarks the sentence on the second page,third paragraph of seconded to approve the the minutes that read:Ms.Beard asked Dr. Silvers minutes as written with the what he thought the role of the Board was,how the amendment;the minutes committee could help,and how much involvement were approved. the Board should have?;to be amended to read: Ms. Beard asked Dr. Silvers what he though the role of the Board was,how the Board could help,and how much involvement the Board should have? Board Business Dr. Silvers spoke about the capital needs, infrastructure, and technology of the health department. He informed the board that the department received twenty five computers that were purchased through the county. He also related that the current software system, ICES,would be updated to TWICES which would enable the department to communicate directly with TDH, Austin. The divisions, including Immunizations and Family Planning, that communicate with Austin received new computers in order to expedite communication. A few of the computers replaced were salvageable; Dr. Silvers further informed all others will be properly disposed. Furthermore, a the Board that he intended total of twelve additional computers were purchased to purchase additional from the remaining program income of the computers,copiers,and a Environmental Health and TB divisions. high speed scanner for Vital Statistics which has been ordered. The scanner would serve as a backup system for vital statistics' record keeping. Ms. Caballero asked for the secretary if anyone would like to volunteer in transcribing the minutes of The board agreed that the the meeting. Dr. Silvers explained that the secretary secretary would continue provided administrative support to five boards. The transcribing the minutes concern was that this board required a preview of the without a preview prior to minutes prior to distribution for editing. distribution. SCANNED V The board business continued. Ms. Caballero asked Dr. Silvers to elaborate on the Dr. Silvers elaborated on changes and restructure he planned for the health his vision of restructure of department. Dr. Silvers' explanation is a follow up the health department. to Ms.Caballero's e-mail to those board members with e-mail. Dr. Silvers explained to the board his plan to restructure was to create three divisions within the health department. The first division would be an Administration division which would incorporate finance,purchasing,personnel,switchboard, environmental health,and lab. The second division would be AnimallVector Control. County Animal Control would cooperate with City Animal Control and Vector Control upon moving to the new facility. The consolidation would allow more manpower for work orders and citizen concerns. Commissioner Ortiz has collaborated with Dr. Silvers regarding the consolidation. Ms.Caballero asked Dr.Silvers how the board could Karen Beard stated she assist in vocalizing and supporting his efforts outside supported Dr.Silvers' of the meeting. Dr. Silvers said the board's support efforts,as well. is all that is needed at the time. Dr.Silvers informed the board that Community Health would be the final division. This division would encompass WIC,family planning,nursing, communicable diseases,and anything else that may require physician assistance. Karen Beard asked Dr. Silvers if the positions for the three division directors would be posted. Dr. Silvers commented that his thoughts were to reclassify existing positions. The community health position, however,would most likely be recruited. Ms. Caballero clarified for the board that this dialogue was still in the planning process. Dr. Silvers concurred,and added that the process was moving quite quickly. Dr. Silvers added that the new Animal Control Dr. Silvers informed the facility would be open in November. The Animal board that Mr.Cruz-Aedo Control Manager would be coordinating and was targeting an open supervising the move. house in December,once the facility was in full operation. Dr. Silvers informed the board that the Immunization Melinda Gonzales is owed Clinic would be held on Friday, September 26th and a debt of thanks for her Saturday, September 27th at the National Guard assistance in coordinating 2 Immunization Armory. The Health Department,CCISD,TDH,and the event,said Dr. Silvers. Clinic many other sponsors have come together to make this event possible. Melinda Gonzales informed the Melinda Gonzales board that 10,000 children have yet to be immunized. commented that she was According to Ms.Gonzales,CCISD would be non- indebted to Dr. Silvers for compliant should an audit be conducted. Flyers his receptiveness to put on promoting the immunization clinic were posted in the the mass immunization schools as well as being distributed to the students to clinic. take home. All children's records would be accessible through the TEQ Center. Dr. Silvers noted that some thanks were due to Jaime Capelo in getting TDH involved and allowing us to use their staff. Board Ms.Caballero requested that the Director's Report be Comments include in future agendas. The board agreed. Leo Barren expressed that the consolidation plan would be important and a key factor in moving forward. He did agree,however,that it should not be a territorial issue. Karen Beard had a question concerning grants being denied. Ms.Beard asked if it would have an effect on the health department. Dr. Silvers shared with the board that the health department would lose a total of twelve positions. The department lost three vacant county positions, and will lose nine state positions by the end of August 2004. The health department also took a $70,000 budget cut. Ms. Caballero commented that she fully supported Dr. Silvers noted that he Dr. Silvers'plans. Melinda added that she too was would need the assistance really encouraged by the efforts of the consolidation. of the board; the board is Ms. Beard concurred,and asked Dr. Silvers to keep respected among the the board educated in order for them to support his community and by elected cause. officials. Ms. Caballero said before a year ago,the board was not sure of their role in the community. She further added that she found the future of the board very exciting and challenging by its new direction. Larry Bittle informed Dr. Silvers when he was ready to publish some of his ideas;Larry knew of the editor of"Fuel for Thought"which is a publication of Port Industries. Next Meeting Next meeting scheduled will be the third Wednesday of October at 3:00pm. Ms.Caballero asked if anyone had any agenda items to be included on the agenda. 3 fir y Mr. Barrera asked if the topics of the retreat had relevance to be discussed now that the board had a new direction. Ms.Gonzales suggested reviewing the remaining agenda items from the retreat and either revising the list or starting anew. Ms. Caballero commented that she did not feel any Mr.Barrera asked how the progression from covering the previous items of the board could receive more retreat. public exposure and visibility. Mr.Bittle voiced that the board's presentations Ms.Caballero appointed should have a purpose. Leo Barrera to head an Adhoc committee to look at various topics and agencies to address. Ms. Caballero asked Dr. Silvers to provide the board Dr. Silvers agreed. with the education and content for presentations. Dr.Silvers suggested Melinda Gonzales noted that the board needed to identifying the needs at one identify the needs of the community before of the board's upcoming addressing the various agencies with presentations. meetings. He did add, however,that it was a good idea to determine what type of audiences would be addressed. Dr. Silvers and Rose Caballero would continue to Leo Barren will provide Next meeting. identify the concept and issues the board would like the forum"circuit,"and the to provide the community. content will be provided at a later time. A discussion took place on how to address the audience;the board agreed that it depended on the topic and the audience as to how each presentation would be addressed. Ms. Beard suggested the board inform and promote the director's changes to the community. She felt the community would place faith and trust in the board's programs if the community was aware that Dr. Silvers was making the health department a more efficient place. Ms.Caballero disagreed. She clarified that Mr. Barrera was referring to a more general type of information to present to the community. Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 4:15 PM. Next Mediae Next meeting November 19,2003 at 3 PM. 4