Board of Health

Skokie Board of Health May 9, 2013 Present____________________ _ Absent Excused Dr. Drachler Dr. Sood Dr. Gaynes Dr. Luka Ms. Nickisch Duggan Dr. Topouzian Mr. Gordon Dr. Herwitz Ms. Urbanus Dr. Kaplan Mr. Nidetz Dr. Usman Dr. Prince Mr. Pandya Ms. Varma Dr. Plotkin Dr. Veis Dr. Polin Dr. Williams Mr. Shah Note: Dr. Vicencio has resigned from the Board of Health Dr. Counard, Director of Health Bruce A. Jones, Staff Call to Order - The meeting was called to order at 7:32 p.m. Dr. Drachler introduced Trustee Bromberg to the Board. Trustee Bromberg gave a brief overview of her background for the Board’s information. The Board then had their photo taken for inclusion in the next FY13 Health Department Annual Report. Approval of Minutes – The minutes of the previous meeting were approved. Catherine A. Counard, MD, MPH, Director of Health – Board of Health Year in Review Dr. Counard gave a presentation on the “Board of Health Year in Review”. A copy of the presentation is attached. Dr. Counard outlined and gave detailed information on each of the following areas that the Board has focused on in the last year: Board of Health Purposes • Recommend to the Mayor and Board of Trustees amendments or additions from time to time to those portions of this Code dealing with public and environmental health matters. • Recommend to the Mayor and Board of Trustees specific public and environmental health improvements within the Village. • Give aid to municipal officials charged with the direction of projects relating to air, water, noise or other environmental pollution problems. • Review and consider those matters of public and environmental health concerns referred to it by the Board of Trustees. • Cooperate with the Mayor and Board of Trustees, Village departments and other public and private agencies in carrying out a volunteer blood donor program within the Village. Skokie Board of Health FY13 Accomplishments • Actively participated in state re-certification process • Joined the Medical Reserve Corps • Volunteered for the community flu shot program • Judged student “Don’t Smoke, Don’t Start” posters • Public Health Partners of Excellence awards • Summer Board Dinner Invited speakers on topics of interest: • Mr. Bruce A. Jones, Dr. Catherine A. Counard, Dangerous and Vicious Animal Ordinance • Susan Reisberg, R.N., Public Health Nurse Update on Adult Immunizations • Mr. William V. Ramsey, Emergency Preparedness, Lovell Federal Health Care Center • Larry Williams, DDS The National Prevention Strategy (NPS): An Important Health Initiative • Mr. Rich Casey, Vice President, Skokie Hospital Vision for the Future of Skokie Hospital • Mr. Robert Berry, Mr. Dave Zazra, North Shore Mosquito Abatement District • Mr. Jeff Burman, Chair Sustainable Environmental Advisory Commission • Mr. Bruce A. Jones Skokie Animal Control Review Board FY14 Objectives  Organize education and training for Board of Health members.  Exchange ideas with neighboring health departments to identify and solve public health problems in the region.  Publicize activities of the Board of Health and Health Department through diverse venues, to improve citizens awareness of available services and the important public health work performed in the Village.  Develop the Board of Health portion of the Village Website, including adding meeting minutes and other activities, to promote better accessibility for public information.  Provide input to the Health Department, Mayor, and Trustees regarding health legislation.  Continue to serve on the Erie Evanston/Skokie Family Health Center Advisory Boards, and promote access to healthcare for Skokie residents.  Assist the Health Department and IPLAN Committee with assessing childhood obesity rates in Skokie public schools.  Provide a tobacco use prevention training program for Skokie healthcare providers.  Support Health Department initiatives Dr. Drachler brought up the topic of IPLAN Review and encouraged the Board Members to bring any topics and think to the future about ideas that should be brought towards the IPLAN. This is the chance to improve the Skokie Community as a whole. Dr. Williams suggested the Board take home the topic of a SWAT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats). Looks at the SWAT issues before the Board and the Community and then submit these issues to Dr. Counard. Then these could be approached and possibly be brought to the Village Board. Dr. Herwitz echoed Dr. Williams by looking how the IPLAN words/ language be placed into actions and is looking forward to work on various issues. Dr. Veis asked what the most pressing issues in our IPLAN are. Dr. Counard spoke briefly about the four priority areas within the IPLAN have been identified as the key issues before the Health Department. Dr. Plotkin brought up a topic questioning what type of school education our teenagers are receiving on Sexual Transmitted Illnesses (STI’s). Trustee Bromberg commented on how she could only speak to Old Orchard Jr. High which has a very extensive health educational program which included information on STI’s. Dr. Drachler said we could hopefully reach out to the schools via our nurses to investigate what is being offered. Dr. Polin brought up the topic of contacting other local Health Departments and ask if a couple member could attend their Board meetings and we could reciprocate the offer in order to hear new ideas. Dr. Counard said we have had other departments attend and present at our BOH and that these are all public meetings that our members can attend. Mr. Pandya asked about anti-littering signs. Mr. Jones explained that the Skokie Environmental Sustainability Advisory Commission is looking into this issue. Chair’s Report Dr. Drachler mentioned that the summer dinner has been scheduled for August 15th with more details to follow on the specific location and menu. Dr. Drachler stated that the Board of Health budget hearing will be held on May 22nd and that the next IPLAN meeting is scheduled for August 14th at 3:00 p.m. at the Village Hall in the Annex Room. Personal Statements Ms. Nickisch Duggan gave a brief overview of her background for the Board’s information. Dr. Drachler asked that Dr. Kaplan be prepared to give the same brief background overview to the Board at the June meeting. Director’s Monthly Report Dr. Counard presented the April monthly report (attached). The highlights included: 3rd Annual Public Health Partners of Excellence Awards This year the Health Department and Board of Health recognized the Skokie Public Library and the North Shore Mosquito Abatement District as “Public Health Partners of Excellence” at the April 3 Trustees meeting. The Library provides many educational activities and served as a key partner during the creation of the Skokie Community 2012 Health Plan. The Mosquito Abatement District collaborates every year with the Health Department to monitor mosquitoes for West Nile Virus, and implement control measures. Student “Don’t Smoke, Don’t Start” Poster Contest winners The Health Department partnered with PEER services of Evanston, to conduct a “Don’t Smoke, Don’t Start” poster contest in Skokie middle schools. Three winners were selected out of 120 posters submitted, based upon content and artistic merit, and recognized at the April 3 Trustee meeting. The winning posters were displayed at the Skokie Public Library and Village Hall throughout the month of April, and were featured in the May edition of NewSkokie. Continued work on Food Safety training Bill HB1546 in Springfield Dr. Counard traveled to Springfield to negotiate with key stakeholders regarding the food safety training bill. The involved parties were the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, Illinois Restaurant Association, Illinois Department of Public Health, and Local Health Departments from across the state. Speaker Madigan sent a representative to facilitate the meeting, so after three years of negotiations, it looks as if the bill will become a reality. FY13 grants and awards – State Fiscal Year ends June 30 As of April 30, the Department’s FY13 grant and award funds totaled $268,708, which is a 33% increase from FY12. Of that amount, $230,856 (86%) has been billed, and $196,679 (85%) of the billed funds has been received. Three of the FY13 grants (PHEP Carry-over, IPERLC Mini-grant, and RBFI) are one time grants totaling $42,260. The main grant that has not yet been paid by the state is for the Illinois Tobacco Free Communities grant with more than $19,000 outstanding as of the end of April. Community Health Plan Initiatives Updates • Access to Healthcare – The new location for Erie Evanston/Skokie Health Center will open and dedicated in September 2013. The Erie clinic has hired a physician in training Elizabeth Marsh and will be providing obstetric services through Evanston Hospital. • Obesity Prevention – Moving forward on accessing the BMI data and childhood obesity rates. This will be accomplished next fall. • Tobacco Use Prevention – We will have Graduate Student working on various programs including work place wellness. This will include topics within the IPLAN. • Healthy Environment – The cleanup of at the MGP at Oakton & McCormick is continuing and Dr. Drachler is still very interested in pursuing more bike paths in Skokie. Mr. Pandya mentioned that May 13-17 is take your bike to work week Old Business Dr. Counard informed the Board that the NorthShore University HealthSystem Omega Occupational Health Medical Group is signing epi-pen prescriptions and providing protocols for any area school that has a school nurse for a cost of $50.00. New Business None Adjournment The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:11 p.m.