Newsletter2 May 2007 - Intranet - East Central Public Health District

Newsletter
February 2007—June 2007
East Central Health District
Straight from the desk of
Dr. Malcolm Page
Special points of
interest:
• The East Central
Public Health District
VI partnered
with local Wal-Mart
stores— conducted
free blood pressure
checks
• Tuberculosis-One of
man’s oldest diseases
• Stand with Magic
Johnson
Inside this issue:
News & Updates 2
Have You Heard?
Caught! Doing a Great
Job!
Caught! Doing A
GREAT Job!
We’re on the Web
Congratulations/New
Employees
Helen Smith
Co-Editor & Illustrator
3
4
5
Dr. Malcolm I. Page—Interim District Health Director
For the East Central Health District
Dr. Malcolm I. Page agreed to
serve as Interim DHD for the
ECHD effective May 1, 2007.
The ECHD welcomes Dr. Page!
He is a native of Detroit, Michigan,
graduated from the University
of Chicago, School of Medicine
following which he served
an internship at the Boston City
Hospital and completed an Internal
Medicine Residency at the
Mary Imogene Basset Hospital
in Cooperstown, New York.
For many years, his practice was
limited to Cardiovascular Medicine,
and he served as President
of the Central New York Heart
Association and President of the
Otsego County (NY) Medical
Association. He served in the
Epidemic Intelligence Service of
the Communicable Disease
Center in Atlanta, Georgia, and
successively served on the
medical faculties of Emory
University, University of Chicago,
Columbia University,
Medical College of Georgia,
and the University of Illinois.
His administrative duties included
Assistant Chief, Epidemiology
Program, CDC; Physician-in-Chief,
Mary Imogene
Bassett Hospital; Director, Internal
Medicine Residency
Training, Medical College of
Georgia; Administrator, Medical
College of Georgia Hospital
and Clinics; and Director, Ambulatory
Services, University
of Illinois in Chicago. He has
published more than 40 scien-
Department of Human Resources, Strategic Roundtable
Discussions in Augusta
Strategic Roundtable Discussions
for DHR staff and citizens were
held June 6 in Augusta. Commissioner
B.J. Walker, Dr. Stuart
Brown, Division Director, and DHR
staff were in attendance. The purpose
of the discussions were to
listen to the thoughts and needs of
the citizens and DHR employees.
Roundtable discussions were held
around the state. At each Roundtable,
recommendations for better
achieving DHR’s five strategic
goals were discussed:
1. Increase employment and
self-sufficiency.
♦
♦
Our customers working or engaged
in work-related activities
Economic self-sufficiency for our
most vulnerable customers
2. Increase home and community
based service to our customers
♦
♦
Community capacity to serve
customers in their home and community
Customers receiving services in a
home setting or as close to home
as possible.
3. Improve use of technology.
♦
Decrease travel expenses for
Dr. Malcolm I. Page
Interim District Health Director
tific articles in the field of
Infectious and Cardiac diseases
and was the former
Governor for Georgia of the
American College of Physicians.
Dr. Page recently retired
as Vice-President of
Medical Affairs of University
Hospital in Augusta,
GA.
internal meetings.
4. Engage DHR employees in the
agency’s vision and mission.
♦ Customers experiencing good
customer service with DHR
5. Increase the number of Georgia
citizens engaging in healthy
behaviors
♦
♦
Adolescents ready for college,
work, and life.
Strong communities able to support
the safety and health of
their residents

News & Updates
Asthma—Local educators, area hospital staff, respiratory therapist, and
local school staff recently formed an Asthma Coalition to evaluate gaps in education,
policy, and the general knowledge and understanding of asthma. For additional information,
please contact Sadie Stockton, ECHD Chronic Disease Prevention Program at 706-729-2055.
Blood Pressure Checking Campaign—You feel fine, but you may be walking around with a condition known as the “Silent Killer”----High
Blood Pressure or Hypertension! You can’t physically see high blood pressure and don’t always have symptoms.
But, high blood pressure is a serious health problem. If untreated, it can lead to heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure along
with other serious health conditions.
The East Central Public Health District VI partnered with local Wal-Mart stores located in Waynesboro, Thomson, Swainsboro,
Augusta, and Evans and conducted free blood pressure checks on Saturday, June 23. The following blood pressure checks
were given: Burke: 72; McDuffie: 66; Richmond: 99; Emanuel: 107; Columbia County, Bobby Jones: 75;
Evans: 65; total 484. Lincoln County held a similar event on June 30 at the local grocery store; 73 blood
pressure checks were given. Dr. Page and Preston Harpe visited all Wal-Mart locations.
Along with free blood pressure checks, educational information was provided to assist individuals to
understand high blood pressure, the risk factors, how it affects body functions, and how to prevent, reduce
and control high blood pressure. Individuals received education on the Live Healthy Georgia Campaign and
how adopting the healthy lifestyles outlined in the Campaign will increase their quality and quantity of life.
Thank you to all staff and MRC volunteers that participated in this event. (Sadie Stockton)
“Communicating Before A Crisis” Pilot Project—still continues with various subcommittees addressing their particular functional
area of educating “Hard To Reach” populations. Though we are very close to the pilot project ending, many objectives have
been met, as prescribed via the state. Nearly all $74,000 that was allocated for the East Central Health District has been used.
These funds have, for the majority of the project, purchased supplies, developed and reproduced pandemic materials, purchased
other amenities for meetings of stakeholders, training and presentations. The remainder of the “Communicating Before A Crisis”
dollars will be used to expand this project in counties that were not a part of the selected counties for this pilot project, and will be
a part of a combined immunization and pandemic flu promotion. Presentations are planned for the Spanish community.
• Jerry Harden planned ECHD’s participation in a Joint Services, National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) with the Army,
Air Force and ECHD Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) Volunteers. The volunteers triaged patients at Augusta Regional Airport,
through the use of the ECHD Secondary Triaging, Treatment and Transportation Center (ST3C). (Gary Zgutowicz)
Tuberculosis-One of man’s oldest diseases—A deadly new strain of extremely drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR TB) was discovered
in Atlanta. Extensively drug-resistant TB is a relatively rare type of multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). It is
resistant to almost all drugs used to treat TB, including the two best first-line drugs: isoniazid and rifampin.
XDR-TB is also resistant to second-line medications: fluoroquinolones and at least one of three injectable
drugs (i.e., amikacin, kanamycin, or capreomycin).
No one (regardless of race, sex, religion, national origin or net worth) has ever been completely protected
from the possibility of contracting the tubercle bacillus, the bacterium or germ, Mycobacterium tuberculosis
(MTB). TB is spread person-to-person through the air by coughing, sneezing, shouting, and singing. You
must inhale the infectious droplet to become infected.
District Six worked diligently with the State Office and CDC to complete the contact investigation in this area for the XDR-TB
case. The Richmond County TB staff, Phyllis Roland, and the Columbia County TB staff are to be commended for their outstanding,
timely, and professional response to this potentially explosive situation. (Linda Graves, RN)
Stroke & Heart Attack Prevention Program (SHAPP) Update—We would like to welcome Dr. W. Joseph Hillson to our
SHAPP Team. Dr. Hillson became the SHAPP Medical Director on May 1, 2007.
SHAPP services are being provided in Burke, McDuffie, and Richmond Counties. The District control rate for the third quarter
was 72%. We EXCEEDED our goal of 60 %! Congratulations to the SHAPP Team for a job well done!
School Immunization Round-Up—The East Central Health District will conduct a Back-to-School Campaign in all counties, the
week of July 23 through July 27. Each county will be asked to post two evenings with a two-hour extended day of their
choice. The new Rules and Regulations will be the focus of the Roundup. Effective July 1, 2007, all children attending child care
facilities are required to meet the following new vaccine requirements:
If under five (5), the child must have protection against pneumococcal disease. For other vaccines, the number of doses will be
determined by the age of the child. If born on or after January 1, 2006, the child must have two doses of Hepatitis A vaccine or
laboratory proof of immunity. Children currently enrolled in child care facilities will need to update their certificates. Every child
entering 5-year-old kindergarten must have two doses of varicella and mumps vaccine or documentation of disease to be complete
for school. Additional doses of mumps and varicella are also required for sixth grade entry, as well as all new entrants into the
Georgia School System (k-12). This would include children who have left the Georgia School System for 1 year or longer and
then return. Children presently enrolled in the school system with a current certificate, except for the above situations, will not
need a new certificate.
There will be announcements/notifications from District staff through radio and television appearances, as well as public service
announcements in local newspaper outlets. All health departments and satellite clinics will be providing immunization vaccines
to school-aged kids and adults.
Pandemic Influenza Anti Viral Exercise—The District will conduct a Pandemic Influenza Anti Viral exercise October 15-19,
2007. This drill will evaluate the District’s capacity to administer anti-virals to a large number of people during a possible pandemic
influenza event. This event will occur during flu season and seasonal flu immunization promotions.
Page 2

Have You Heard
Augusta District's STD Awareness Month Activities—One of the awareness events took place
at a local high school which had a total of 237 attendees, 166 youth, and the rest adults.
On May 25, Medical College of Georgia nursing students partnered with the health district
staff to provide STD information in the community.
Thank you District 6 for your STD Awareness Month efforts.
Thanks to Abbott Virology, 100 people from Augusta, Georgia traveled to Atlanta, Georgia on
April 19, 2007 to stand with Magic Johnson in the fight to prevent HIV and AIDS. Magic’s message
was loud and clear as he told the crowd, “I am HIV positive and I am living.” He encouraged
people to get tested to know your status. He advised those infected to follow their doctor’s advice
to remain healthy and to stay focused on living. Sandra E. Wimberly had the opportunity to meet
Magic to discuss new innovative ways to further bring awareness to the CSRA. In addition, Magic
autographed a basketball that will be raffled during the 2007 events for World AIDS Day in Augusta,
GA. (Article from The Metro Courier )
FMR, RCHD Communicable Disease
Department Staff
Gary Zgutowicz had an interesting experience while attending an MRC Conference in Nashville,
TN. He writes: While I was in Nashville, I took great pride in wearing our new district apparel.
Having it on when going into a restaurant has great advantages. The service I received greatly
exceeded that to which I ever experienced even in very expensive eateries. I didn’t have the heart
to tell them I was from out-of-state because I enjoyed the personal service.
Each year, Ann Taylor BMW supports the Susan G. Komen Foundation, the nation's largest
private funding source, for breast health and breast cancer. A local breast cancer survivor is selected
as the "Local Hero" and this year our own, Janette Daniel, was the honoree. Janette has
taken a negative and turned it into a positive through her tireless work and dedication to breast
cancer education.
On March 15, to support Janette and breast cancer health and research, Ann Taylor BMW generated
a $1.00 contribution for each test mile for those driving a new BMW--A little over $7,300
was raised that day. Thank you for your support of a worthy cause.
On June 27, 2007, National HIV Test Day was celebrated at the Frank M. Rumph, MD Richmond
County Health Department with free OraSure testing. Free coverage was provided by five radio
stations and three TV networks to help get the message out about the HIV Epidemic and the need
for all people to get tested and "Know Your Status." Dr. Malcolm Page was present, and our
own, Mayor Deke Copenhaver, was tested on camera to emphasize the need for testing. Onehundred
five people were tested as a result of this special effort!!
Caught! Doing a GREAT
Job!
Sandra Wimberly was nominated by Sylvia R. Williams and
selected as an “Honorable Mention” in the DHR Employee Recognition’s
Community Service category. Sandra attended the DHR Employee Recognition
ceremony on May 8, 2007 in Atlanta. Congratulations, Sandra, on being selected for
honorable mention in your category!
Thank you!! Thank you!! Thank you!!! (From Janette Daniel)
The Augusta-Richmond County’s Relay for Life (sponsored by the American Cancer Society)
was held May 11-12 and was an overwhelming success. Over $450,000 has been raised thus far -
that’s $117,951.21 over goal. That is awesome!!
My personal goal was to collect at least $1,000. Well, thanks to the wonderful people I am
privileged to work with, I collected a grand total of $2,075. The spirit in which you give continues
to amaze me.
Your gift helps prevent cancer and save lives while making a difference for millions affected
by this disease. Because of you, lives are being saved and changed. Because of you, the hope for
a cancer-free future goes on. Thank you, again, for your generosity and for choosing to be a part
of the fight against cancer.
Sandra Wimberly and
Magic Johnson
Janette has taken a negative
and turned it into a positive
through her tireless work
and dedication to breast
cancer education.
Commissioner B.J. Walker
and Sandra Wimberly at
ceremony.
Page 3

Caught! Doing a GREAT Job!
Mary Stacy recognizes our peer advocates, Teens Relating Information By Education
(T.R.I.B.E.), for their awesome work in the community with teens and parents. TRIBE provides the community
with teen pregnancy prevention and positive adolescent health education.
We have six TRIBE members that graduated from high school this year: Monica Burnett,
Veronica Burnett, Brandi Freeman, Demory Hill, Dion Givens, and Akilah McElvy. Congratulations
graduates!
Suzanne Harrow states that Fran Mitchell, Suzanne Thomas, and Grace Merchant did wonderful jobs
in researching and putting together presentations for the last NP/ERN meeting in May.
Emma Smith, Client Navigator for Wilkes, Lincoln, and McDuffie Counties, was selected to represent Client
Navigation for Georgia at a national conference on Client Navigation in Tampa, Florida. Emma also
presented a talk for new client navigators at the Client Navigator training in Macon on May 30th. Thank
you Emma for the work that you do. (by Suzanne Harrow)
Lynette Stephens states: “It is a display of admirable quality, when one co-worker can praise another for a
job “well done”. This is exactly what Olaundra has done.” Lynette compliments Olaundra Grace and
Kim Howell for their unselfish teamwork and customer service at the South Augusta Clinic. Donna Scott
also thanked both for their organizational commitment, excellent customer service, and team spirit. Your
efforts are truly appreciated. (Olaundra states that Kim was scheduled to work from 9 am—6 pm. However,
she did not leave until 6:30 p.m. At the time Kim was scheduled to leave, there were several clients
waiting. Without hesitation, Kim immediately saw the need and continued to assist Olaundra in seeing the
clients that had been waiting for so long. Between the two, together they did certs HR, and 2E’s.)
Lynette Stephens says “Job well done” to Bernita Wilson for being extremely helpful and proficient in
WIC client check-ins. A client expressed: “Bernita Wilson displays extreme professionalism in the execution
of her duties.”
Dianne Williams was praised by a client for exceptional service received.
W. Jason Stanford, of DHR, Division of PH , praises Jeanie Baker. He states: One of the ADAP staffers
mentioned how consistently friendly and helpful you are when they call with questions. They noted that you
are doing a good job assisting with the duties of ADAP while Doris is out. He stated that he already know
how valuable you and the rest of the staff were to the District. Keep up the good work!
Ann Kenny has done an excellent job presenting the Pandemic Flu presentation to the Wilkes County Rotary
Club and has received requests to present at the Wilkes County Kiwanis and Martinez/Evans Rotary
clubs.
ECHD Training Coordinator and District Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) Program Manager, Jerry
Harden, recently coordinated a first time, stand-alone county Pandemic Influenza Anti-Viral, SNS Full
Scale Exercise (FSE). There have been a few Pan Flu FSEs in the state of Georgia, but this was the first in
the state where the county supported itself, as would be required during an actual Pan-Flu Mass Anti-Viral
Incident. This FSE was conducted in McDuffie County at Thomson High School.
For the first time in ECHD FSE history, the SNS distribution goal was met by the end of the first hour.
By the end of the second hour, the SNS goal was almost doubled! This proved that the ECHD Pan Flu Plan
works and the entire District is Pan Flu Ready. This was Jerry’s first FSE as the ECHD Training Coordinator
using the Pan Flu Plan he wrote as Emergency Preparedness Specialist. (By Gary Zgutowicz)
Donna Scott congratulates Sandra Wimberly and her team for an OUTSTANDING job during National
HIV Testing Day.
“A BIG RAVE for Lynda Thomas at the Richmond County Health Department for her outstanding service
and going beyond her call of duty in caring for her patients. Thank you, Mrs. Thomas for all you
do.” (From The Augusta Chronicle, June 24, 2007, Rants & Raves section)
Page 4

East Central Health District
We’re on the web!
www.ecphd.com
1916 North Leg Road
Augusta, GA 30909-4437
Phone: 706-667-4255
Fax: 706-667-4365
E-mail: mipage@dhr.state.ga.us
July is Back to School Readiness Month
August is Breastfeeding Month
Protect, Promote, Provide
New ECHD Employees
Iris Fordham
FMR,RCHD—Womens Health
Dr. Malcolm Page
ECHD—Interim District Health Director
Sondra Roundtree
FMR, RCHD—WIC
Gwen Williams
FMR, RCHD—Womens Health
Yvette Williams
RCHD— Vital Records
Congratulations!!
♦ Gary Zgutowicz is AMA certified
to teach “Core, Basic, and
Advanced Disaster Life Support”
training, less the mannequin
piece dealing with Triage.
September is Food Safety Month
What Do We Do?
October is Breast Cancer Awareness,
Dental Hygiene, &
Flu Vaccine Month
Farewell to Dr. Cassandra Youmans
Dr. Cassandra Youmans resigned as District Health Director April 30, 2007, to take a job in
Louisiana as Medical Director of Ambulatory Care and Assistant
Professor of Medicine at LSU HSC. She was honored with
a farewell reception by the staff on April 26, 2007, and was
presented by Commissioner Jerry Brigham a proclamation
from Mayor Deke Copenhaver proclaiming April 26 as “Dr.
Cassandra D. Youmans Day” in Augusta, Georgia. Dr. Youmans
is a dedicated physician that expanded and enhanced
many new services to the ECHD in a short time as District
Health Director. We applaud Dr. Youmans for her many efforts
and wish her much success in her new job.
Commissioner Jerry Brigham
& Dr. Cassandra Youmans
The mission of Georgia Division of
Public Health provides service and
leadership to promote, protect and
improve the health and safety of the
people of Georgia.
Message from Dr. Page...
The work you are doing is truly impressive. I congratulate
you on your dedication and professionalism.
Keep up the good work!
Dr. Page