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, April 23, 2008, at 1:00 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
H. Bank Carroll, M. D.
James A. Lawrence, D. D. S.
Mrs. Brenda Dozier
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Jim Wetherington, Mayor
Isaiah Hugley, City Manager
Howard Willis, M. D.
Todd Jarrell, M. D.
OTHERS PRESENT:
Dr. Zsolt Koppanyi
Ed Saidla
Margaret Gosden
Eileen Albritton
Pam Middleton
Karon Bush
Sheila Mayfield
Pam Fair
Brad Lawrence
Chauncey Walker-Whiting
Dr. Carroll called the meeting to order and asked for a motion to approve the
minutes of the March 26, 2008 board meeting. Dr. Carroll stated there are two
Excused Absences for the meeting; Dr. Jarrell and Dr. Willis. There was not a
quorum present to approve the minutes or absences. Dr. Carroll asked that the
voting be done via telephone or fax for the Board members that are not
present.
Dr. Carroll asked for a review of the Old Business/Action List. Dr. Carroll
stated there is a Resolution which requires a vote. The Resolution supports the
location of the Division of Public Health as a separate agency from DHR. Dr.
Carroll read the Resolution to the Board Members. Dr. Carroll asked for any
comments or discussion. Dr. Carroll asked Dr. Koppanyi if he had any comments.
Dr. Koppanyi stated that he felt the Resolution Mr. Rumer has drafted is self
explanatory and it is essential that the Columbus Board consider its adoption.
The Governor?s study committee on Public Health has been charged by the
Governor to develop a formal recommendation in early July.
Ms. Gosden stated that GPHA recommends that Public Health should be removed
from DHR. The commission appointed by the Governor clearly will recommend a
change in Public Health. The question is, ?where should public health go?? The
ability for the needs of public health to come to the surface within a mega
department like DHR has always been a challenge, but at the present, this is a
major challenge. Dr. Koppanyi has commented on some of the problems associated
with becoming a part of the DCH. Dr. Carroll asked if the other Health
Directors and Boards of Health are in accord with the request? Dr. Koppanyi
and Ms. Gosden both stated yes to that question. Ms. Dozier asked why does the
Resolution not come from the sixteen counties? Mr. Saidla stated that each of
the Boards is adopting their own individual Resolution. Ms. Gosden stated a
similar resolution needs to be prepared for the City to consider for Council
Adoption.
Dr. Carroll asked if everyone was in agreement with the Resolution. The Board
Members present supported this change. Dr. Carroll stated that since there was
no quorum, the voting on this should be done via fax or telephone.
Dr. Carroll asked for any New Business to come before the Board. There being
none, Dr. Carroll asked for Director?s Comments from Dr. Koppanyi.
Dr. Koppanyi stated that a meeting of the District Health Directors and the
Sellers McCroan Lecture were held on Thursday, March 27, 2008. Subsequently, on
Friday, March 28, 2008, Dr. Brown held a conference call with all Health
Directors to announce his retirement effective April 30, 2008. Dr. Sandra Ford
who is currently the Health Director for DeKalb County will be serving as
interim State Health Officer.
Dr. Koppanyi also mentioned that a hand out had been placed in the Board
Member?s books regarding an article concerning Ethics. He asks the Board
Members to please take the time to read this interesting article.
Dr. Koppanyi announced that Christi Hubbard has been hired to replace Pam Fair
as Safe Kids Coalition Leader. Ms. Hubbard is already trained as a car seat
technician and will be a wonderful asset to public health.
Dr. Koppanyi asked Ms. Mayfield for a report regarding Immunization Week here
in Columbus. Ms. Mayfield stated that approximately 400 immunizations and 150
clients have been seen. Dental screenings had been done and approximately four
children had problems in that area and six children had hearing problems.
Dr. Carroll called on Pam Middleton to present the financial report to the
Board.
Dr. Carroll called on Brad Lawrence with E.I./Babies Can?t Wait to present the
program to the Board. There was a brief discussion with the Board members.
Dr. Carroll asked if there was any other business to discuss. There being none,
the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted:
________________________________
Charlene Ellis, Secretary
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