HealthBeat - Miami-Dade County Health Department

HealthBeatMIAMI-DADE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT SUMMER/FALL 2006MDCHDConductsCRI DrillPages 4 & 5Public HealthNursesCelebrateTheir DayPage 8

Jeb BushGovernorToni JenningsLieutenant GovernorM. Rony François, M.D., M.S.P.H., Ph.D.Secretary, Florida Department of HealthBonita J. Sorensen, M.D. M.B.A.Deputy State Health OfficerNancy Humbert, A.R.N.P., M.S.N.Deputy Secretary for HealthState Public Health Nursing DirectorFlorida's Women's Health OfficerS ENIORLillian Rivera, R.N., M.S.N.AdministratorRene Ynestroza, MBA, MSMISSenior Public Health Services ManagerFermin Leguen, MD, MPHMedical Executive DirectorOlga ConnorDirector, Office of Communications & Legislative AffairsJoAnne Kroesen, A.R.N.P., M.S.N., M.S.C.H.N.Director, Office of Organizational DevelopmentDenise West, R.D., L.D./N, .M.P.H.Director, WIC & NutritionSandra Smith, R.N., B.S.N.Assistant C.H.N. Director, Special Immunizations ProgramMorton Laitner, Esq.Chief Legal CounselSamir Elmir, M.S., P.E., D.E.E.Division Director, Environmental Health and EngineeringEvelyn Ullah, B.S.N., M.S.W.Director, HIV/AIDSThomas Burns, M.P.H.Program Manager, STDL EADERSAlicia Reyes-Perez, R.N., B.S.N.Registered Nurse Consultant, Director, School HealthProgramOnelia Fajardo, M.P.H., DR, B.A.Director, Refugee Health Assessment ProgramPaula Schimpf, M.S.N., A.R.N.P.Assistant CHN Director, Women's Health ProgramMaribel Zayas, B.S.Director, Office of Public Health Financial ManagementKaren Weller, R.N., B.S.N., I.C.C.E.Director, Chronic Disease Prevention, andHealthy Start Data Management ProgramsMessage from the Administrator,LILLIAN RIVERA, RN, MSNDear Friends of Public Health:Hope you all are having a wonderful and safe summer!!!!Important Reminder on drowning:There are over 7,000 drowning deathsnationally each year.[Source: National Safety Council]Here are some highlights of our Publichealth agenda:Pandemic Influenza Planning in Miami-Dade CountyOur community is working on strengthen our plans in preparation for a pandemicinfluenza. The Health Council of South Florida with their group of expert planners ishelping us. The planning process will continue thru December 2006. If you need additionalinformation, please call Maria Torres at 305 336-1259.Cities Readiness Initiative (CRI)This has been a summer full of achievements. Last May we conducted a CitiesReadiness Initiative (CRI) drill along with Miami-Dade College, the Miami-DadeCounty Office of Emergency Management and the Miami-Dade Police Department,as part of our response to a large-scale public health emergency. This live-actiontraining was a valuable tool to strengthen our ability to respond to an actual event,and we were able to test our capacity to deliver medicines and medical supplies duringsuch an emergency. I would like to congratulate all the participants, and speciallyour team of Public Health Preparedness, who did an excellent job in organizing andimplementing the drill.Health Connect in SchoolsHealth Connect in Schools is a project that all our community has to be very proudof. Launched in 2006, Health Connect In Our Schools will be implemented in phases,with every school in Miami-Dade County benefiting from a health team within fiveyears. Each team, comprised of a nurse or nurse practitioner, a social worker and twohealth aides will provide services to two schools to meet children's immediate schoolhealth needs and help connect them to a pediatrician or primary care physician forongoing medical care. Schools with nurse practitioners will provide primary healthservices for uninsured students with no other options or access to health care. HealthConnect in Our Schools is a partnership funded by The Children's Trust, Miami-DadeCounty Public Schools and the Miami-Dade County Health Department. We look forwardto our new school year that starts August 14, 2006.Back to School ImmunizationsOur Back to School Campaign that assist family with immunizations/physicals duringthe summer has been a great success. We have our outstanding immunizationsrates because of our community collaboration. Thanks to all our staff involved. GoSIP!!!Coming in the Fall 2006The United States Conference on AIDS (USCA), set for September 21-25, 2006, atthe Westin Diplomat Hotel, in Hollywood, FL, is an event you cannot afford to miss.This will be the largest AIDS-related gathering in the United States, with the participationof over 4,000 workers, from all fronts.Rejuvenate, Revitalize, Remember, Complex Challenges Demand Creative Solutionsis the theme for the conferenceThe journey toward a world without HIV/AIDS requires the skills, experience and passionthat each of us brings to this struggle. This year's opening plenary celebratingthe Unsung Heroes exemplifies the spirit of everyone working on the frontlines of theAIDS epidemic. Kweisi Mfume and Sheryl Lee Ralph will speak about it in their keynote addresses.I hope you will join our public health employees for this most important meeting aswe renew our spirit and recommit ourselves to ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Ms.Evelyn Ullah, Director of HIV/AIDS program, has been appointed as co-chair for theSouth Florida Host Committee Council and chair for USCA 2008 which will be held inMiami. She is also USCA 2006 standing board member of the National MinorityAIDS Council.Warm Regards,2HealthBeat

Table ofContentsHEALTH FAIR IN LITTLE HAITIPAGE 3MDCHD CONDUCTS CRI DRILLPAGES 4 & 5VOLUNTEERISM AT ITS BESTPAGES 6 & 7Dr. Reynald Jean, and Administrator Lillian Rivera spoke tothe participants.Health Fair in Little HaitiPUBLIC HEALTH NURSES CELEBRATEPAGE 8MDCHD SHOWCASES ITS PROGRAMSPAGE 8EMPLOYEES WALK AGAINST LEUKEMIAPAGE 10MARCH OF DIMES SCORES BIGPAGE 11QUARTERLY AWARD GOES TO WICPAGE 11STERLING WINNERSPAGE 12Miami-Dade County Health DepartmentR e c i p i e n t o f t h e 2 0 0 2 a n d 2 0 0 6 G o v e r n o r ’ sS t e r l i n g A w a r d f o r E x c e l l e n c eOn May 13, 2006,the Notre-DameChurchyard wasconverted from abeautiful place ofsolitude andreflection into a communityhealth fair that was attendedby over 300 hundredresidents.The event was aimed atinforming residents about theupcoming opening of "LittleHaiti Clinic", that will be runby the Miami-Dade CountyHealth Department. It wasalso an opportunity to celebrateHaitian Heritage Month.The fair included physicalexaminations, health screenings,educational materials,free handouts, immunizations,food and music. The eventwas broadcast live on localradio stations.Administrator Lillian Rivera,served as the Master ofCeremonies, and inviteesincluded the State HouseRepresentatives Phillip J.Brutus and Yolly Roberson,who received a specialrecognition.Community providers andlocal partners also participatedin the event. Among them:Borinquen Health CareCenter, the Center for HaitianStudies, Miami Dade College- School of Nursing, Haitian-American NursingAssociation, Healthy StartCoalition of Miami-Dade,Miami Jackson AdultEducation Center, CamillusHouse, Miami-Dade CountyDisability Services, ParentAcademy program fromMiami-Dade County PublicSchools, and American RedCross for Greater Miami andthe Keys.The Special ImmunizationProgram, the LegalDepartment, the Office ofChronic Disease Prevention,the Lead PoisoningPrevention Program,Women's Health, TB,HIV/AIDS, EnvironmentalHealth, STD, and the Asthmaprevention program offeredfree screenings and showcasedthe department'sinitiatives to keep our communityhealthy and safe.Contributing Writers:Tracie Dickerson and Amy Tejirian3HealthBeat

MDCHDConductsCRI DrillAdministrator Lillian Rivera speaks to the media.Public health nurses played a crucial role.The Miami-Dade County HealthDepartment along with MiamiDade College, the Miami-DadeCounty Office of EmergencyManagement and the Miami-Dade PoliceDepartment conducted a mock drill lastMay at the Miami Dade College KendallCampus as part of the county's bioresponse.Miami is one of 21 cities in the nationcurrently developing a Cities ReadinessInitiative plan, a pilot program to aid citiesin increasing their capacity to deliver medicinesand medical supplies during alarge-scale public health emergency suchas a bioterrorism attack or a nuclear accident."This live-action training with our partnersis a valuable tool to strengthen ourability to respond to an actual event," saidLillian Rivera, R.N., M.S.N., Administratorof the Miami-Dade County HealthDepartment. "We want to be ready to takethe necessary actions to preserve thehealth and well-being of our residents andvisitors."The goal of the drill was to fine-tunelogistics to better manage an actual event.The exercise focused on the distribution ofpreventative medication during a publichealth emergency, and assessed theeffectiveness of the county's dispensingplan. Miami Dade College has been designatedas a point of distribution (POD) forthe dispensing of medication should anemergency occurs.4HealthBeat

Employees from all the programs participated in the event.Antonio Gonzalez explains the drill.“This live-action trainingwith our partners is avaluable tool tostrengthen our ability torespond to an actualevent."LILLIAN RIVERAMDCHD AdministratorCities Readiness InitiativeAlvaro Mejia-Echeverry andDenise West.Sandra Smith gives instructions to participants.5HealthBeat

12V olunteerisThe Miami-Dade County Health Department for the 10th consecutiveselves, yet expect nothing in return. More than 250 outstanding voluteer recognition reception held on June 14 at South Miami Hospital.3541. Jo Baxter, Corporate Vice President/Baptist Health SouthFlorida, Platinum Contributors, Lillian Rivera, MDCHDAdministrator.2. Rene Ynestroza, MDCHD Sr. Public Health Serv. Manager, Dr.Rolando Ingles, Volunteer Physician of the Year.3. Rene Ynestroza, Dr. Eileen Ramsaran, Physician of the Year,Lillian Rivera4. Dr. Nilda Soto and Dr. Juana Julien accepting the Life TimeAchievement Award for her late husband Dr. Dale Matza.5. Group participants at the reception.6. Dr. Nilda Soto and Open Door staff accepting the ServiceProvider of the Year award.7. Dr. Leonard Goldberg, Golden Service Award and Rev. MichaelDaily.8. Dr. Jose Nery, Dr. Gloria Mayne, Dr. Jose Herrera, Merit ServiceAwards.9. Aurea Hurtado, with Drs. Jockovich, Berry and Torres receivingthe Outstanding Service Awards.10. Receiving the Superior Service Awards, Karen Beal andChristine Clark accompany by Dr. Sanford Yankow.11. Dr. Steven Marcus, Dr. Laurinus Pierre, Martha Sanchez receiv-78961011126HealthBeat

m At Its Beste year honored and celebrated the achievements of those who give of themunteersand partners received well deserved recognition at out 2006 volun-. Baptist Health South Florida sponsored the event.1314ing the Community Partners Awards.12. Rene Ynestroza, Sister Edith Gonzalez and Dr. Jose Centurionaccepting the Distinguished Service Awards.13. Teresa Descilo (left) presenting Public Service Award toPryanka Handa (right)14. Carmen Diaz Guzman, Mariana Garcia and Maria LuisaMartinez de Castro, receiving the Excellence in VolunteerismAwards, accompany by Adriana La Rosa Cora (second to the left),and Lillian Rivera (right).15. Albert Collazo, Platinum Contributors, Lillian Rivera.16. Flavia Rodriguez, Madeleine Nuñez and Rosalia Gonzalez-Anleo, receiving the Excellence in Volunteerism Awards accompanyby Marisel Losa (second to the left), and Lillian Rivera (right)17. Sister Edith Gonzalez, Ady Viera18. Rene Ynestroza, Kay Akam, Superior Service Awards.19. Dr. Ana Gonzalez, Distinguished Services Awards, LillianRivera20. Clara Martinez, Dolores Martinez, Clementina Mercado,Superior Service Awards21. Dr. Jorge Echenique, Distinguished Service Awards22. Alina Perez-Stable (center), Rene Ynestroza (left) presentingKedemah Dean, Judi Hamlburg and Carmen Romero with theCommunity Service Awards.15181619172022217HealthBeat

PublicHealthNursesCelebrateTheir DayFrom left to right: Carol Wright, Lillian Rivera, Ruth Delgado, HelenSharperson, Esther Navas, and Iris Jackson.They say “nurses are the true spirit ofcaring”. And precisely, to celebrate thatspirit and all the good public healthnurses provide to our community, theMiami-Dade County HealthDepartment celebrated May 12, the NursesDay.The event, that took place at the FirefighterMemorial Building, served as an opportunity tohonor our public health nurses and their workand services.From left to right: Mamie Walker, Rosa Wong, RolandMartinez, Lisa Winchester, and Edward Winberly.MDCHD Showcases Its Programs at Baptist Health SymposiumIsabel Rodriguez-Morgan (der.) and Julie Zimmett, fromBaptist Health South Florida.The Baptist Health South Florida MedicalEducation department celebrated in June, in DuckKey, its Fifth Annual Primary Care FocusSymposium with the participation of dozens of physicians,nurses, health care professionals, andnational organizations.The Miami-Dade County Health Department participatedas an exhibitor, and showcased the differentprograms and services it provides to our community.The event was aimed at giving comprehensiveand educational updates on various diagnosis andtreatments commonly seen in the primary care clinicalsetting.78HealthBeat

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I N t he SpotlightE M P L O Y E E N E W S The West Perrine Clinic congratulates the efforts of the Women’s Health Program / West Perrine Unit for being the first“Program of the Quarter” (April through June, 2006), an initiative launched recently to showcase and promote thedifferent health services the clinic provides to the South Dade community. The Women’s Health program conductednumerous outreach and educational activities, including a health fair, organized with the Chronic Disease Prevention,and other programs. Vital Records is the current “Program of the Quarter” (July through September, 2006). The WestPerrine Vital Records Unit provides vital statistic documents, such as Birth and Death Certificates, from Mondaythrough Friday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The office is located at 18255 Homestead Ave #113. West Perrine, FL 33157.Phone: (305) 324-2489.Employees Walk Against Leukemia and LymphomaDozens of employees from theMiami-Dade County HealthDepartment participated last May inthe Mercedes Benz 2006 CorporateRun, that took place at BayfrontPark, in downtown Miami, to benefitthe Leukemia and LymphomaSociety.Congratulations to all these participants,who walked 3.1 miles:Felix Abraham, Roslain Antenor,Maria Aponte-Lugo, JessieBellevue, Gina Bispham, ClaudetteBourdeau, Nora Bueno, FranciscoCaraballo, Karen Carpenter,Darline Carre-Theodore, ReneeCodio, Gladymir Comeau, KatianaPierre, Annette Danger, TracieDickerson, Marie Etienne, YvetteFaustin, Dawn Fontus, DeborahFulwider, JoAnne Kroesen,Anthony Llau, Cheryl Lorie, MartheLubin, Maria P. Martin, MariaMartinez, Michelle Medina,Micheline Olivier, David Patlan,Gloria Reyes, Jenett Richardson,Emma Simmonds, Juan Suarez,Amy Tejirian, Karen Weller, JoseZabala, Janet Williams,and Denise West.10HealthBeat

I N t he SpotlightCONGRATULATIONS, EMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH!Congratulations to the outstanding employees who were recognized for their exemplaryperformance and professionalism for the months of May, June, and July 2006. Our sincerethanks and gratitude for all the hard work you have put forth to make Miami-Dade County ahealthy and safe community.MAYJUNEJULYJULYSilphronia BrownKimberly ArnspigerAnita MartinezJorge Alonso The Special Immunization Program (SIP) held its annual Back to School Health Day July 29, and provided free immunizations tochildren between the ages of 2 months through 18 years. School physical examinations were also given at the different sites wherethe Back to School Health Day took place.March of Dimes Campaign Scores BigQuarterly Award Goes to WIC ClinicKudos to the following programs for supporting the March of Dimes Campaign:WICSPECIAL IMMUNIZATIONSHIV/AIDSOFFICE OF ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT/PUBLIC HEALTH NURSINGEPIREFUGEE HEALTHWOMEN'S HEALTH/PROJECT SCREENTBSCHOOL HEALTHENVIRONMENTAL HEALTHOFFICE OF CHRONIC DISEASESADMINISTRATION / INFORMATION TECHNOLOGYVITAL RECORDSFACILITIES MANAGEMENTLEGAL/CONTRACTSThe total amount collected was $1,710.08, a 59% increase over last year.A clinic from theWIC program locatedin Hialeah received inMarch the “QuarterlyTeam Award”.The 15 employeesof this service sitehelp 7890 clientsmonthly. They encourageteamwork and promotethe MDCHD valuesthroughout theclinic and all WIC programs.One of theirhighlights: immediatelyafter Hurricane Wilma,the staff provided WICservices to clients outsidethe clinic untilelectricity and computerswere restored. Allthat, because of theirmotto: "Customeralways come first, andcustomer satisfactionis a priority."11HealthBeat

The mission of the MDCHD is to promote and protect the health of our community through prevention andpreparedness today, for a healthier tomorrow.Miami-Dade County Health Department8323 NW 12 St. Suite 212Miami, FL 33126STERLING WINNERS!Administrator Lillian Rivera, Senior Leaders and employees at the Sterling Conference held in June in Orlando.