Board of Health

Skokie Board of Health Thursday, April 13, 2023 7:00 pm Zoom/Virtual Meeting MINUTES Meeting video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hxNIjATHcM Present: Dr. Swapna Dave, Maureen Hanlon, Dr. Girija Kalyan Kumar, Dr. Edward Linn (Chair) Heidi Nickisch Duggan, Rohit Pandya, Romil Sood, Patricia Urbanus, Irtaza Usman, Ruth Varma, Dr. William Werner, Dr. Larry Williams, Sibyl Yau; Staff: Mike Charley, Jennifer Davis, Rachel Blut; Trustee Liaison Keith Robinson Absent/Excused: BOH Members: Dr. Bruce Gaynes, Juliet Haido, Margaret Keeler, Jan Shiffman, Dr. Kyungran Shim, Dr. Jeremy Schwartz, Trustee Liaison James Johnson I. Call to Order @ 7:00 p.m. II. Approval of Agenda, first by Hanlon, second by Dr. Williams, Approved III. Approval of Minutes, March 9, 2023, first by Dr. Williams, second by Yau, Approved IV. Skokie Health and Human Service Presentation, Medical Reserve Corp & Emergency Preparedness Grants/Training/Deliverables: Jenn Davis, Community Health Services Supervisor and Rachel Blue, Public Health Nurse/Emergency Preparedness Coordinator: The presentation included an overview of the Community Readiness Initiative (CRI) grant and Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) grant deliverables. PHEP is funded through the CDC and helps health departments build and strengthen their abilities to effectively respond to a range of public health threats, including infectious diseases, natural disasters, and biological, chemical, nuclear, and radiological events. The Village uses CRI funding to develop, test, and maintain plans to quickly receive medical countermeasures (MCM) from the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) and distribute them to local communities. V. BOH Recurring 3 Minute/Person Introductions: A. Ruth Varma: Ruth is from India. She got her training as a nurse and mid-wife in community nursing in India. She then moved to East Africa in Nairobi for 10 years as nurse and nurse mid-wife. She came to USA working as a rehab nurse. She has just signed up for MRC training. She enjoys giving information to her community. B. Dr. Girija Kalyan Kumar: She is a physician that trained in India. Her residency training was in primary care at Lutheran General Hospital. She joined Mt. Sanai hospital in Chicago. There is an outpatient clinic in Rogers park where they have taken care of the refugee populations. She joined the BOH because of her son. He recommended that she join the BOH. She joined just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic starting. C. Heidi Nickisch Duggan: She started life as an army brat. Her dad was in the army and they moved around a lot. She has been a Skokie resident for over 10 years. Her husband Tim works in higher education at a university. She has two children at ETHS. She has a son and a daughter. She has been working in academic special and medical Document Number: 610452 Version: 1  libraries for over 30 years. Has a library science master’s degree and master’s in communication from Northwestern. She moved to Chicago when she became the Deputy Director of the Feinberg School of Medicine Health Sciences library. She is currently the Director of library and archives of the American Dental Association. She also directs the ADA’s Institutional Review Board (IRB). A committee of a research organization that ensures the production and safety of human research participants. Been member of the BOH for over 10 years. VI. Chair’s Report, Dr. Linn: Dr. Michal Drachler has officially resigned from the BOH, he has moved to Florida. Mike Charley communicated that we have two BOH positions open. He asked that BOH members consider if there are any professions that would be most beneficial to the BOH. For example, Mike suggested recruiting a veterinarian. Dr. Linn communicated that there was a recent report on sexually transmitted infections where STI’s have increased over the past year by 7% from 2.3 to 2.5 million annual cases. What is most concerning is that there has been a 32% increase in congenital Syphilis. The good news is that the US is close to developing a vaccine for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). There was a Skokie resident shot and killed yesterday. Firearms death is the leading case of mortality with children and adolescents (1-19 years of age). This includes both homicide and suicide and Dr. Linn considers this a public health issue. Dr. Linn commented that the public health emergency ends May 11 and that the White House announced Project Next Generation, a 5 billion dollar program to develop new COVID-19 vaccines, including the development of a nasal delivery system for the vaccine. The plan is to develop a more universal vaccine that fights different variants. VII. Director’s Monthly Report, Mike Charley, Director of Health and Human Services Mike presented COVID-19 news/updates. May 11 is the end of the state and federal emergency declarations. COVID-19 cases have decreased in Skokie, Illinois & across the US over the last month. Mike shared other HHS updates including new staff hires and grant updates. Mike related that the Village board on April 3 approved an ordinance increasing dog limitations at single-family homes to 3 dogs and multi-family to 2 dogs. Mike communicated that the BOH’s budget hearing is April 18 and the HHS budget hearing is April 24. The hearings are an opportunity for Board and Commission Chairs to present a summary of the past year’s accomplishments and discuss any future projects and the FY24 budget. Mike provided an update on the Venezuelan Asylum seekers housed in Skokie, provided that a new licensed pest control company has been hired for rat control and communicated that HHS will be participating in a number of community events in May, June, August and November. Maureen Hanlon inquired whether the CDC was advocating a spring booster? Dr. Linn responded that this is something that is being discussed at the federal level next week. Discussion will include an additional dose for individuals 65 and over and the immunocompromised. Maureen Hanlon asked about the outsourcing of rat control and asked if we still have internal staff coordinating the program. Mike communicated that Lillian LaSanta, working within HHS still coordinates the rat program and there are several additional staff that assist Lillian. Mike briefly described the rat control process from when residents contact the Village when Document Number: 610452 Version: 1  observing a rat, through treatment and elimination. Heidi Nickisch Duggan thanked Lillian for all the work she does for the Village. VIII. Ongoing/New Items of Business A. BOH Onboarding Subcommittee: Heidi Nickisch Duggan asked that everyone review the Google doc draft onboarding document prior to the next BOH meeting. The sub- committee will meet prior to the next BOH meeting to finalize the document. B. IPLAN Update: Sibyl Yau communicated that the IPLAN action teams are meeting, Access to Healthcare, Access to Behavioral Health and Affordable Housing will be meeting soon. There is also a data team that is continuously looking for data to support the IPLAN objectives. The action teams are meeting to discuss the objectives and develop strategies to meet those objectives. The IPLAN action teams are looking for community members to participate in the action teams. C. Vacancies on BOH: Pat Urbanus commented that it’s time we entertain having a person outside of the health community participate in the BOH, such as someone from the business or faith-based communities. Maureen Hanlon recommended using the special events to share information about the BOH. Sibyl mentioned that the beginning of the draft BOH onboarding document provides a description and expectations of BOH positions. IX. Public Comments: No Public Comments X. Adjournment @ 8:16 p.m. Next Meeting: May 11, 2023 @ 7:00 p.m. Document Number: 610452 Version: 1