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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