Board of Health

Skokie Board of Health April 13th, 2017 Present Excused Absent Mr. Abbasi Ms. Jones Thorne Ms. Black Ms. Nickisch Duggan Dr. Dave Dr. Usman Dr. Gaynes Mr. Nidetz Dr. Drachler Ms. Varma Dr. Topouzian Dr. Polin Mr. Pandya Dr. Vernon Ms. Urbanus Dr. Prince Dr. Werner Dr. Shim Dr. Williams Dr. Sood Dr. Catherine A. Counard, Director of Health Bruce A. Jones, Staff Guest, Taher Kehil – UIC-SPH Student 1. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m. by Dr. Drachler, Chairman. Dr. Drachler mentioned the Board of Health (BOH) impressed the Village leadership by their great attendance at the “Skokie Cares” initiative held at the Holocaust Museum. 2. Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the previous meeting were approved. 3. Presentations Dr. Jay Mathur and Dr. Starla Kiser Harken Health Clinic, 5540 Touhy Ave in Skokie. Dr. Mathur gave a very in-depth presentation on the Harken Health Clinic. Below are some of the highlights: They now have 5 total sites in Illinois with Skokie being the newest. • Modeled on a Care Plus insurance program • Part of the United Health Care Network • Utilize the United Health Care Network Infrastructure • Focus on providing top quality care for their patients • Unlimited visits for patients, no Co-pay fees • Many of their staff have a public health background • Try to conduct primary care innovations • Engaging and working primarily with small to large employers who need health coverage for their employees but will also work with individuals. • They are able to provide employers, employees and individuals with insurance similar to a broker/exchange programs. Discussion: Dr. Vernon asked about their network and if they have any affiliations with area hospitals. Dr. Mathur explained they have 5 total sites in Illinois and are part of the United Health Care Network. They are working at building their own network but currently are using the United Health Care Network. Dr. Werner asked if they accept Medicare. Dr. Mathur responded they are currently only able to provide care for patients with United Health Care insurance. #513068  Mr. Abbasi asked if an individual can just walk in and receive treatment. Dr. Mathur explained that an individual would need insurance to receive care but they can get them signed up as an individual or under an employer. Ms. Jones Thorne asked if they have virtual health capabilities. Dr. Mathur and Dr. Kiser responded that they have systems in place to conduct this type of service but a specific application has not yet been built out. Dr. Drachler asked about staff needs for each clinic and for the client. Dr. Mathur answered that a typical clinic will have 2-3 Providers (Doctors), 7-9 Coaches (each Provider has 3 Coaches), 1 Nurse, 1 Behavioral staff and 1 Team Manager. Each Provider and their team can support approximately 1500 individuals. In Skokie they have 2 Providers, 3 Coaches, 1 Nurse, 1 Behavioral staff and 1 Team Manager. Dr. Vernon asked what the qualifications are for a Coach. Dr. Kiser explained they are not Medical Assistants (MAs) and not all are clinically trained, many learn on the job, a very diverse background from fitness, social work, but most importantly needing great interpersonal skills. Dr. Usman asked what diagnostic equipment they have available. Dr. Mathur clarified they do not have a whole lot. They can do EKG’s, take vitals and draw blood for lab work. Dr. Drachler asked about the scope of their clientele. Dr. Mathur said they treat from pediatric to age 64. Dr. Williams spoke about using a peer coaching program. Dr. Kiser explained they have had some experience and success with this in a diabetic work group. Dr. Shim asked how the program works exactly with the client’s interaction with providers, coaches and nurses. Dr. Mathur explained each client gets assigned one provider and one coach. The client meets with an operation/intake person first, then meets with a coach (functions as an MA) gets vitals, focuses on the agenda or issues needing attention, then a provider will come in and will work with the client and coach to manage their health. Dr. Dave asked if they have bilingual staff. Dr. Mathur said their staff speaks several languages including Hindi, Spanish, and Polish but no Arabic at this point. Dr. Drachler thanked Dr. Mathur and Dr. Kiser for hosting the BOH meeting and asked for a tour of the facilities. Dr. Mathur and Dr. Kiser gave a tour of the clinic which has been built out very nicely with state of the art clinic rooms and other amenities provided for their clients. 4. 2017 Community Health Plan Priorities Update Dr. Drachler thanked Ms. Jones Thorne and Dr. Dave for their participation on the IPLAN committee. Dr. Counard explained that our goal is to complete the plan by the May BOH meeting and then hold a joint meeting with both the BOH and IPLAN committees on June 8th to review and approve the plan. The plan will then be presented to the Mayor and Board of Trustees for their approval and subsequently submitted to the State Health Department for approval. Dr. Counard gave a detailed presentation on the 2017 Community Health Plan (see attached complete PowerPoint presentation) Below are some of the highlights: #513068  Guiding principles: • The Skokie Community 2017 Health Plan serves the entire community, including people who live, work or attend school in the Village. • Four community health priorities, addressed by initiatives, programs and education (“strategies”). • Will meet the needs of people across the lifespan. • Considers issues of equity, especially to address the social determinants of health After reviewing all the data collected and input from many individuals we identified our 4 priorities as: • Healthy Active Living • Social and Psychological Support • Social Determinants of Health: Promoting Equity • Access to Health Care Many Quotes; Word Cloud –image contains the top 50 meaningful words; Process used, who was involved, findings from the Community Health Needs Assessment; Goals, Objectives, Initiatives, Programs and Education. Dr. Counard stressed to the Board that this is a five-year plan and that it is a community health plan not just a health department plan. We will need to work with numerous community partners to fulfill and complete the plan over time. Dr. Counard mentioned she distributed two pieces of information regarding the ongoing State budget crisis and its impact on Public Health and other organizations. Dr. Williams suggested that the plan have some quality assurance included by having us meet with the stakeholders on an annual basis to make sure we stay on track. Dr. Counard explained we have this structure built in by having the Board of Health meetings 10 times a year and the IPLAN committee meetings every quarter throughout the completion of the plan. She thought that it was a good idea to incorporate a statement about this framework into the plan. Dr. Shim spoke about free transportation for seniors. Dr. Counard will talk to Maureen Murphy about the Star bus program available for senior at a nominal fee. Dr. Counard highlighted a final quote that had been written in Arabic and translated into English. A guest in attendance Mr. Taher Kehil a UIC-SPH Student read the quote to the BOH in the native Arabic language. 5. Chair’s Report: Dr. Drachler thanked the Board members who attended the “Boards & Commissions” dinner in March. Dr. Drachler mentioned that Ms. Nina Black, a school health nurse, has been appointed as a new Board of Health member. She had a conflict tonight and could not attend, but will be at the May meeting. Dr. Drachler and Dr. Counard will present the Board’s accomplishments during the past year and goals for the coming year to the Skokie Trustees at the BOH Budget Hearing on May 8th. Dr. Drachler, Dr. Counard and Health Department staff will present the 7th Annual Public Health Partners of Excellence Awards at the April 21 Skokie Trustees meeting. This year’s recipients are: Asian Human Services Family Health Center and Turning Point Behavioral Health Center #513068 6. Director’s Report: March Monthly Report highlights – a copy is attached: Health Director receives alumni recognition award from UIC School of Public Health Dr. Counard was very surprised and honored to receive the Health Policy and Administration Alumni Achievement Award from the UIC School of Public Health. The award is given for “outstanding professional achievement and contributions made to the field of public health”. The celebration was attended by 230 people at the Crystal Gardens on Navy Pier in Chicago Board of Health participates in “Skokie Cares” event at Holocaust Museum Board of Health members, led by Chair Dr. A. Michael Drachler, have actively embraced the “Skokie Cares” initiative by distributing “Skokie Welcomes Everyone” buttons, placing yard signs and raising awareness in the community. They held their March meeting at the Holocaust Museum, to join the “Skokie Cares” event that evening. Influenza outbreak at Skokie long-term care facility A Skokie long-term care facility had an outbreak of influenza AH3 with 21 people becoming ill. There were 4 staff members and 17 residents affected. Two residents in hospice died. All staff at the facility are required to receive influenza vaccine so all of the ill staff were vaccinated (they had mild illnesses), but just 2 of the ill residents had been vaccinated, unfortunately. All appropriate control measures were implemented, and the outbreak was contained. Health Director speaks to Niles North AP Economics students Dr. Counard spoke to two Niles North AP Economics classes about how she makes decisions as the Director of the Health Department, regarding delivery of services, programs, etc., balancing the needs of the community with economic constraints. She gave a few examples of projects, and mentioned how we respond to larger issues such as the lack of a state budget, or funding cuts to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There are 53 students in the two classes. 6. Old/New Business None. Several articles provided by Mr. Abbasi were distributed to the Board for review. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 8:54 p.m. *************************************************************************************** Next Meeting: Thursday, May 11, 2017 Village Hall – 2nd floor Conference Rooms D & E 7:00 p.m. *************************************************************************************** #513068