Columbus, Georgia

The regular meeting of the Columbus Board of Health was held in the

Administration Conference Room of the Health and Human Services Center on

Wednesday, January 23, 2002, at 1:00 P.M.



MEMBERS PRESENT:

James H. Sullivan, M.D.

Howard Willis, M.D.

Carmen Cavezza, City Manager

H. Banks Carroll, M.D.



MEMBERS ABSENT:

Bobbi Farber, M.D.

Mayor Bobby Peters

James A. Lawrence, D.D.S.



OTHERS PRESENT:

J. Ed Wilson for Mayor Peters

Bill Rumer

Zsolt Koppanyi, M.D.

Margaret Gosden

Pam Middleton

Karon Bush

Laquita Rogers

Cheryl Johnson

Eileen Albritton



Dr. Sullivan called the meeting to order and asked for a motion to approve the

minutes of the last meeting. A motion to accept the minutes was made by Dr.

Willis and seconded by Dr. Carroll and passed by those members present.



Dr. Sullivan asked if there was any old business to be discussed. There being

none, Dr. Sullivan asked if there was any new business.



Dr. Sullivan introduced Dr. Banks Carroll to the Board, stating that he was a

former member of the Board of Health. Dr. Carroll has been appointed once again

to the Board. Dr. Sullivan stated that a Chairman and Vice-Chairman need to be

elected. Dr. Sullivan asks for nominations for Chairman. Dr. Willis made a

motion for Dr. Sullivan to continue as Chairman if agreed. Dr. Carroll seconded

and passed by those members present. Dr. Sullivan asked for nominations for

Vice-Chair. Dr. Sullivan nominated Dr. Willis as Vice-Chair; Mr. Cavezza

seconded the motion and passed by those members present.



Dr. Sullivan asked for each member of the Board to review the handout

concerning the NALBOH?s 10th Annual Conference that will be held July 10-13th,

2002 in New Orleans, LA.



Dr. Sullivan discussed the Equipment Purchase of the Portable Bone Density

Screening Unit. Ms. Gosden presented the justification for the purchase.

The Health Department does a large number of Health Fairs where this equipment

could be used. She stated that in the Women?s Health Program every single

client was asked if they wanted a Bone Density Screening and all responded that

they would like the screening test. Ms. Gosden stated that DHR would pay

$5,275.00 toward purchasing the unit. In researching the information on the

screening unit, it was discovered that the heel scan technology has not been

proven to be reliable. The equipment proposed for purchase the Omnisense 7000S,

utilizes ultrasonic technology, basically the speed of sound return, and

screens the radius, part of the wrist. This has been documented to be one of

the most likely sites for fracture and the best predictor of future fractures.

This unit also eliminates soft tissue effects. It does not require separate

physician interpretation. It has computer software with it, and prints a graph.

This particular machine was chosen even though it is more expensive, because it

also has a study that backs its reliability up, whereas the heel scan

technology does not. The total cost of the machine is $12,500.00, DHR will give

us $5,275.00 leaving a balance of $7,225.00 which will be taken from our

Visions money. The unit will be used for both men and women and there will be

no charge if the unit is used at a health fair. If a person comes in to the

health department, there will be a charge of $10.00. Dr. Sullivan stated that

one out of two females and one out of eight males will have a fracture in their

lifetime. Dr. Willis stated that he felt that a purchase could be made with

less cost and that people needed to realize that this is a ?screening? unit not

a diagnostic unit.

Dr. Sullivan asked for a motion for approval of this purchase when research is

completed. Dr. Willis made a motion to approve the purchase based on the

outcome of the search for a less expensive machine. Dr. Carroll seconded the

motion and it was passed by those members present.



Dr. Sullivan called on Dr. Koppanyi for the Director?s Comments. Dr. Koppanyi

stated there had been extensive bioterrorism training by the Louisiana Training

Group. The drugs and anti-dotes have been received. Dr. Koppanyi stated that

Audrey Ware, State Pharmacy stated that we were ?light years? ahead of any

other District. Also, Dr. Koppanyi stated that $9,000.00 was cut from the

Diabetes Program.



Dr. Koppanyi also mentioned the Photo Award in the Department of Human

Resources bulletin; lst place was the photograph of Charlene Ellis? daughter,

Ami with her granddaughter, Lacie. This photo was the lst place winner for

GPHA. Also, Safe Kids Coalition of Columbus won the Georgia Recreation and

Parks Association State Program Award for the Water Safety Circus they held

last July in a public park.



Dr. Koppanyi stated that there have been no flu cases so far. There is some flu

vaccine left.



Dr. Koppanyi asks for the members to read over the handout regarding anthrax

hoax calls received throughout the District and State.



Dr. Sullivan asked Pam Middleton for the financial report for the period ending

December 31, 2001.



Dr. Sullivan called on Karon Bush, Arthritis and Chronic Disease Program to

give her presentation to the Board. There was a brief discussion concerning the

different aspects of these programs.



Dr. Sullivan asked if there were any other business to bring before the Board.

There being no further business, the Board was adjourned.



Respectfully submitted:





________________________

Pam Middleton, Secretary