Columbus, Georgia

Georgia's First Consolidated Government

Post Office Box 1340
Columbus, Georgia, 31902-1340
(706) 653-4013
fax (706) 653-4016

Council Members

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, October 24, 2007, at 1:00 P.M.



MEMBERS PRESENT:

James H. Sullivan, M. D. Mayor Jim Wetherington

Isaiah Hugley, City Manager

Howard Willis, M. D.

Banks H. Carroll, M. D.

James A. Lawrence, D.D.S.

Ms. Brenda Dozier



MEMBERS ABSENT:

None



OTHERS PRESENT:

Zsolt Koppanyi, M. D.

Eileen Albritton

Margaret Gosden

Ed Saidla

Karon Bush

Sonya Cochran

Chauncey Walker-Whiting

Jannette Pruitt

Debbie Wilson, Cordele

Charlene Ellis

Jennifer Serda, Channel 3 News



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

minutes of the last meeting. A motion was made by Mayor Wetherington, seconded

by Dr. Lawrence and approved by those members present.



Dr. Sullivan asked Dr. Koppanyi to speak for a few moments concerning the

unexpected death of LaQuita Rogers, Nursing Administrator. We would like to pay

tribute with a moment of silence, and following, Dr. Sullivan asked Dr. Carroll

to say a prayer of remembrance. Ms. Gosden stated there is a book of

remembrance for Ms. Rogers?s mother, if anyone would like to make an entry.

Also, memorial gifts have been designated. You may contact

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Ms. Gosden for details. Kathy Sledge with the Ledger Enquirer has been asked

to write an article about Ms. Rogers in the newspaper. There will be a

dedication ceremony in January designating the Nursing Classroom in Ms. Rogers

honor. There will be an announcement about that at a later date. Ms. Gosden

stated that flowers were sent to the funeral services on behalf of the Board.

For those who were unable to attend the funeral services it was a moving and

uplifting experience. Antonio Lawrence from the health department staff sang.

He has been a presenter to this Board in the past.

Dr. Koppanyi asked for a moment of silence in remembrance ??and this was

followed by a prayer from Dr. Carroll.



Dr. Sullivan asked Ms. Gosden for her comments under Old Business concerning

the dental AR report. Ms. Gosden stated that dental does not carry an account

receivable because of the nature of that program. All of the patients are

either Medicaid or based on the sliding scale, pay little or no fees. These are

collected at the time, so an AR is not carried as is the case in other clinics.

She gave a report on how we stand this year. The impact of purchase of new

chairs would be a $30,000+ expense. Salaries in the program are roughly

$101,000. About 75 to 80% of Dr. Downer?s salary is funded from Atlanta and the

remainder is charged to the local budget. We receive GIA for about 75-80% of

her salary. The support staff makes up the remainder of the salary expense.

Other expenses are projected at about $39,675. A fund balance has been carried

from previous years in the amount of $131,814. The equipment expense of

$30,378 subtracted from income in FY 06 rolled to FY 07 as our Prior Year

Program Income, we started out with $186,423, leaves us a projected spend down

to $146,827. The $30,000 expense did not have a major impact on that program.

Dr. Downer is collecting adequate fees. In the first quarter, which ended

September 30th, Dr. Downer collected $38,171.73. Annualized this would be

$152,600. Generally in the spring the fees increase as opposed to the fall.

With the emerging problem with Kool Smiles, (Medicaid contract terminated) the

income this will increase. She asked for any questions. Dr. Willis asked if

the claims had to be submitted for reimbursement for Medicaid. Ms. Gosden

stated that was true and those have not experienced the delays of other

programs. Mr. Saidla stated that the two dental chairs had arrived. He stated

that Dr. Downer had contacted several different organizations about donating

one of the dental chairs. The other chair was swapped to provide a better unit

to the Muscogee County Jail. They needed new equipment and a

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dental chair so it was provided to them as a governmental property swap. Ms.

Gosden also stated that the new auto-clave was in place. Dr. Willis stated that

this appears to be one of the most successful programs. Dr. Willis stated that

the years that he had been attending the national convention, the health

departments always had an outreach program for the school system and this is

not something in place in this community. A correction of this comment was made

by Mr. Saidla. Mr. Saidla stated that there is a dental trailer we take on site

to offer services to all of the counties that requesting school based services.

Dr. Downer works with the school superintendents and principles to provide any

school services. There were comments from Ms. Dozier and Dr. Koppanyi regarding

this issue. Dr. Willis stated that possibly there was a surplus and the

activities could be increased. Ms. Gosden stated if this was done, Dr. Downer

would need an additional dentist to expand the case load and to assist. At one

time a part-time dentist was employed; however, he joined the staff of Kool

Smiles. Dr. Willis asked when was the last time that the dental unit was in

Talbotton? Mr. Saidla stated that he would find out. He stated that some of the

schools systems choose to use other providers other than the health department

staff. The dental services are available to all of the counties within the

district. Dr. Downer coordinates with the school superintendents and principles

as to the schedule for services. Dr. Willis asked if they are given an option?

Mr. Saidla stated yes, they are given an option and it is their choice. Dr.

Willis asked if the dental unit goes to Marshall? There was a brief discussion

regarding this issue. Dr. Downer is deciding if she is ready to recruit another

dentist. Recruit and finding another dentist is not an easy proposition. This

is what is limiting us at this point is the time of the dentist. Dr. Downer has

a great relationship with the children/patients and is very good at what she

does. Dr. Willis said that if Dr. Downer would become an adjunct professor in

the dental school at Meharry, which probably could get some of its fourth year

dental students down. Ms. Albritton stated that Dr. Downer is on the MCG. Ms.

Gosden stated that this summer she had two students in training. Ms. Gosden

stated that Dr. Lawrence and Dr. Downer have a great running relationship about

issues. Ms. Gosden asked for any other questions.



Dr. Sullivan asked for Dr. Koppanyi?s Health Director?s Comments. Dr. Koppanyi

stated there is a major reorganization happening on the State level. There has

been a major issue regarding the monies from CDC for the Emergency

Preparedness. There will be a cut of about 11%. Dr. Koppanyi

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stated that he is on the Emergency Preparedness program steering group along

with several other health directors. We have also received some good news; the

Safe Kids Program has become one of the four top local programs in the nation.

The annual meeting was held yesterday. There are approximately 200 volunteers

that are trained that help install car seats and restraints. At holiday time,

everyone is getting bicycles, go-carts, etc. so we try and teach them how to

use the equipment properly and also hand-out safety helmets. Last year over 105

safety helmets were handed out and other 250 kids participated in the fitting.

It is a very vigorous and useful program that is doing a good penetration

throughout the community. There is excellent cooperation with the police

department.



Dr. Koppanyi stated that they are awaiting news from the State level to find

out the outcome of all of the changes. A conference call is scheduled for Nov.

5th where the State office will explain to some degree these changes.



Dr. Koppanyi asked for any questions.



Ms. Bush received the information regarding the dental visits to Talbotton and

she stated that it had been 5 years since Dr. Downer had been to Talbot County;

however, Talbot County has their own dentist. Dr. Downer has been in contact

with Talbot County to let them know that she is available for services.



Dr. Sullivan stated that Ms. Gosden distributed the audit for FY2007. He asked

for the Board members to take it home and review it.



Dr. Sullivan asked Ms. Gosden for the financial report to the Board.

Ms. Gosden stated that Larry Young will be at the next Board Meeting to review

the audit. Mr. Hugley asked if this information could be shared and Ms. Gosden

stated that it is public record information.



Dr. Sullivan called on Chauncey-Walker-Whiting, Children?s Medical Services for

the program presentation. She introduced Debbie Wilson from CMS-Cordele and

Jannette Pruitt from the Pediatric Center to present the program.





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Dr. Sullivan asked if there was any other business to discuss. There being

none, the meeting was adjourned.



Respectfully submitted,







____________________________________________

Pam Middleton, Secretary

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