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, August 22, 2007, at 1:00 P.M.



MEMBERS PRESENT:

Isaiah Hugley, City Manager

James H. Sullivan, M.D.

Howard Willis, M. D.

Banks H. Carroll, M.D.

James A. Lawrence, D.D.S.

Ms. Brenda Dozier



MEMBERS ABSENT:

Jim Wetherington, Mayor



OTHERS PRESENT:

Judy Thomas- Assistant to Mayor

Zsolt Koppanyi, M.D.

Ed Saidla

Eileen Albritton

Margaret Gosden

Pam Middleton

LaQuita Rogers

Cheryl Johnson

Dr. Vanessa Downer

Karon Bush

Julia Van Heuvel

Kathy Sledge ? Ledger Enquirer



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 Dr. Carroll, seconded by Dr.

Lawrence and approved by those members present.



Dr. Sullivan stated there were no Excused Absences for this meeting.



Dr. Sullivan asked if there was any Old Business on the Action List. There

being none, Dr. Sullivan asked for any New Business.



Dr. Sullivan stated there was a request from the Dental Program for a purchase

of equipment. Ms. Gosden stated that Dr. Downer was present and that she would

give the Board the necessary information regarding the purposed equipment. The

request before the Board is to purchase a new Autoclave. The one presently

being used is twelve years old and was purchased in 1985. The autoclave has a

leak and the dry cycle does not work. The low bid cost for this piece of

equipment is $6,246.00. The patient?s chair is over twenty years old. They were

moved from the old health department building in 1995 and new sending units

were purchased at a cost of $10,000.00 each. One chair, one sending unit needs

to be replaced because they lack modern technology. The cost of the new chair

and the new sending unit is $15,359.00 with a total expense of $21,605.00.

There are two operatories and we would only be addressing one at this time. Ms.

Gosden asked Dr. Downer to speak to the Board concerning the need for the

purchase. Dr. Downer and Dr. Lawrence have consulted about this equipment. Dr.

Downer stated that the health department is basically in the dark ages in

regards to the type of equipment that we have. It needs to be updated in order

perform the more advanced procedures. The current units lack fiber-optics.

Fiber-optics are a part of the hand piece that has a light built and is a part

of the drill. That technology has been around for about twenty years. Dr.

Carroll asked if the second operatory would need to be updated at some point.

Ms. Gosden stated that the chair would need to be addressed. Dr. Downer stated

that she has had four dental students come in this summer and she states that

to have both operatories updated would be recommended. Ms. Gosden stated that

they wanted to start out with one unit and then access where we are

financially. Dr. Downer has a very active practice and she is excellent with

the children. She does beautiful work and the children love her. With the

demand and in view of the cancellation of Peach Care and Medicaid CMOs with

Kool Smiles, the dental clinic is going to get an increased amount of patients.

Ms. Gosden stated that the Board can authorize to purchase one unit and 2 units

to complete both operatories. It would be basically double the cost. Dr. Willis

asked what the AR looks like. Ms. Gosden stated that the Dental Clinic AR is

better than any of the other programs because Dr. Downer sees a large Medicaid

population and employs the sliding scale. It has been analyzed and we feel

certain that we have more than enough from her income to cover the cost of

salary, supplies, and purchase this unit out of last years fee money. Dr.

Lawrence suggested that if the money is available, he would recommend

purchasing both units. Dr. Carroll asked if a second autoclave would need to be

purchased and Ms. Gosden stated no. Ms. Gosden stated that the total would be

$36,964.00 which would include installation. Dr. Carroll mentioned the

possibility a discount for the second unit if the two are purchased. Dr.

Lawrence stated that it was unlikely a discount would be available because most

supply houses are already discounted.



Dr. Sullivan asked for a motion to purchase the operatory equipment for the

Dental Clinic. Dr. Carroll made a motion if the funds are available for the

purchase of two operatories and one autoclave. Dr. Lawrence seconded and it was

approved by those members present.



Dr. Willis asked for a copy of the AR and numbers and final figures from the

Dental Clinic at the next meeting. Ms. Gosden stated that she would be glad to

get that information for Dr. Willis. Ms. Gosden stated that she expected the

Kool Smiles situation to have a great impact on the number of children that

will be seen here at the Health Department. Kool Smiles lost their Medicaid

contract with Durall and PeachCare. Ms. Gosden stated that Dr. Willis would be

interested in seeing the amount of services that are written off because of the

sliding scale. This is very important and people do not realize in the private

dental office that you do not have a sliding scale.



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

stated that two of our employees have received significant honors; Pam Fair,

Safe Kids Coordinator, was appointed to the Governor?s Highway Safety Advisory

Commission. She has been subsequently appointed Chair of the group. Through

GPHA, Olivia Mallichek Communicable Disease Specialist stationed in Sumter

County, has been nominated and received a special award for the epidemiology

section.



Dr. Koppanyi stated that a couple of weeks ago, we were advised that the

Division of Public Health will be reorganized. Along functional lines with

functional groups with organizational charts divided into four functional

areas. Dr. Carson has been relieved of any supervisory function and will be an

advisor to Dr. Stuart Brown. Mr. Morris Govan will be responsible for a large

portion of programs. Mr. Gene Kirschbaum will be finance and administration.

David Martin retired on August lst. Ms. Gosden has already scheduled a meeting

with Mr. Kirschbaum and the Administrators from throughout the State and they

presented to him some of the serious concerns related to day to day operations.

He listened very carefully and was attentive to the suggested needs. Mr.

Kirschbaum was previously with Department of Family and Children?s Services of

GPHA.



Dr. Koppanyi stated there have been two proven cases of West Nile Virus

Disease. Another third case remains unconfirmed yet. Mr. Hugley suggested that

Dr. Koppanyi do a spot for the Government access concerning prevention

measures. Dr. Lawrence stated that it would be good to have Dr. Koppanyi on a

regular basis to give out information relating to health issues that affect the

community.



Dr. Sullivan called on Pam Middleton to present the financial report to the

Board. There was a brief discussion regarding this issue. Ms. Gosden stated

that the negative balance is a result of not getting GIA reimbursement until

the month of August for June expenses. The bank documentation was tracked and

there have been some deposits but, no documentation has been received from DHR

on adjustments and advances. We were late getting allocation sheets, we did

not get our money until the middle of August for June expenses and July

advances, and we did not have documentation to go with deposits to transfer

funds into the programs. We are now very confident that we have received all of

our money due including the adjustments from FY 2007, so we should be looking

at a different picture when August is closed out. This is a major reason that

this department as a lead county, Columbus Health Department carries a big fund

balance. If we did not, we would not have been able to meet payroll. You must

have a certain amount of operating capital sitting in the bank for just this

type of occurrence. Ms. Gosden asked for questions regarding this issue.



Ms. Gosden stated there was a fourth round of examination from the Office of

Accounting commissioned by the Lt. Governor. Dr. Koppanyi stated that the

questions were ?how could public health function as primary care

provider/emergency provider?. This group focused on the clinical services we

render and not the population based services. The visitors also wanted to talk

about the cost effectiveness of services. We were able to give them our cost

data. They also wanted to know about uncompensated care. We were able to share

with them the amount of service we write off on discount, what we have to write

off for bad debt collection, and also the difference between what we bill

Medicaid and what they pay. Quality Assurance process was also explained by Ms.

Albritton.



Dr. Sullivan called on Julia Van Heuval, Teen Health for the presentation to

the Board.



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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