DIVISION ACTIVITY REPORTS October through December 2007 ADMINISTRATIVE Employee Safety Training/Tips: Juanita Peterka informs staff at monthly staff meetings about safety items. The following was reported during this period: Reminder to check city vehicles for winter survival kits and to make sure batteries in the flashlights are replaced with fresh ones and also to make sure that the vehicles have the oil changed. Staff was advised that sometimes after the beginning of the new year, HR will be doing a drivers license check on all city employees. Juanita reminded staff that, as a benefit to city employees, the Employee Assistance Program is available free of charge. Defensive driving classes were offered to city employees during the month of November. Marlene Johnson reviewed the CityWatch program with the staff and advised them that we will test the system in the December timeframe. Debbie Hanson-Misialek completed the Chamber Leadership program and was awarded her completion certificate on December 5 at the Holiday Inn. Media/Public Relations: Several public health related items were published in the newspaper/or covered on the radio and television to include the Drive Through Flu Clinic held in October and the opening of the new dental clinic. Care Day Community Benefits Fund: During this period $50.00 was donated to Salvation Army for the Northwood Tornado disaster; $50.00 to St. Vincent de Paul; $78.00 Ali’s Boundless Playground and $30.00 to the Northland Rescue Mission. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH The semi annual inspection of all school food service facilities was completed during this period. Thirty five individuals attended a two day Food Manager Certification Class held in October. The semi-annual inspection of all pool facilities in the City was completed during this period. Environmental Health Staff participated in the orientation of family practice residents in the UND Family Practice Residency Program during this period. The new Mosquito Control Operations Center is under construction and is scheduled for completion next spring. Del Streitz attended a CDC review of the state Point of Dispensing plan for pharmaceuticals held in November. Inspection of all food service facilities in the city was completed during this period. Del Streitz and Tim Haak attended a Homeland Security Workshop on evaluation of training exercises held in Bismarck in December. Tim Haak and Del Streitz participated in the pandemic flu exercise held in conjunction with drive through flu shot clinic held in October. _____________________________________________________________________ NURSING AND NUTRTION Health Promotion Team Members: Carrie Kaltenberg (team leader), Theresa Knox, Rachel Salwei, Haley Thorson, Programs: Tobacco Prevention, Women’s Way, Wellness The Grand Forks City and County Wellness Program hosted the annual Wellness Fair. This year over 470 employees attended. The Wellness Program also hosted a wellness challenge and completed the eighth edition of the Wellness Wire Newsletter, sent to all city and county employees. Mandy Burbank, LRD, presented nutrition information to forty women and men at the North Dakota TOPS annual meeting in Grand Forks. In observance of National Breast Cancer Awareness month in October, the Women’s Way program participated in a number of community events including: free mammogram promotion collaboration between Altru Health System, Leighton Broadcasting and Women’s Way; ads in the October 2007 issue of Red River Valley Women’s Today magazine, Tidbits, Luncheon News, KXPO, KNOX and WDAZ; display in Public Health Department lobby and at Altru Cancer Support Group’s “Pretty In Pink” event. October 9 and November 13 the Family Medicine Resident orientation was held at Grand Forks Public Health Department. Rachel Salwei coordinates this program. Haley Thorson, Theresa Knox and Erin Dionne attended the National Conference on Tobacco or Health in October in Minneapolis, MN. Tobacco Prevention Program staff participated in the review and update of the state tobacco plan and also continue with representation on state wide policy, cessation, youth and “other tobacco” subcommittees. The tobacco prevention program has worked with 2 different student led projects that have had significant community and health disparity impact. UND College of Nursing Community Health students provided a comprehensive approach and observance of the Great American Smoke out in November. Theresa Knox and graduate Masters in Public Health (MPH) student Brenda Bergman developed a collaborative project with WIC to provide classes regarding the impact of exposure to secondhand smoke. Family Health Team Members: Allen Anderson (team leader), Mandy Burbank, Cindy Loiland, Betty Otteson, Danielle Kovarik Programs: Maternal & Child Health, ND Health Tracks, Care Coordination for Children with Special Health Needs, Public Health Nutrition Mandy Burbank was a presenter at the North Dakota Women’s Health Connection Conference. Over 300 women from the community attended. Mandy Burbank represents the Health Department on the City Green3 Initiative, Citizen’s Committee on Climate Protection Public Education and Neighborhoods Subcommittee. Betty Otteson was appointed to serve on the Grand Forks County Child Protection Team; her appointment will continue until July 2010. October 2, “Safe at Home” training was attended by Betty Otteson and Danielle Kovarik. The Health Tracks Program conducted well child exams on approximately 180 children ages 0-21 who are enrolled in Medicaid, during October, November, and December. Cindy Loiland provided a presentation at the Altru Clinic Radiology Dept. on lead poisoning. The car seat program provided safety seats and education to several families during this period, including Northwood residents affected by the tornado. Allen Anderson and Mandy Burbank were awarded a $5000 grant from the North Dakota Cancer Coalition to conduct cancer prevention programming in the community. Danielle Kovarik represented the Health Dept at Respite Care Committee meetings. This fall has brought the Boundless Playground Committee together to begin fundraising for a new handicap accessible playground in Grand Forks – Danielle Kovarik is a committee member and secretary for this group. Disease Prevention Team Members: Kathy Dunn (team leader), Terri Keehr, and Twyla Streibel Programs: Immunization, TB, Refugee Health, HIV, Ryan White, Influenza Terri Keehr attended a lunch with ND legislators sponsored by the Healthy Families Advisory Board. Immunization Updates were held in October at Altru Family Medicine Center, Altru Pediatrics, and GFPHD on the topic of “CDC Immunization Update in Review” Terri Keehr participated in a national Refugee Health Conference Call on refugee issues. October 10, 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Twyla attended the Ryan White Case Manager’s Meeting in Bismarck. New members of the state team were introduced. Presentations on Medicaid, Medicare Part D, and HIV/AIDS Overview were given. Kathy Dunn presented at the “Got Your Shots Immunization Conference” in Minnesota. The presentation included the Healthcare Provider Tdap Challenge and 2007 Tetanus Booster Blitz. October 25, Kathy Dunn presented “Drive through Flu Clinic-An Alternate POD Plan” at the Massachusetts Health Officers’ Annual Conference. During October, November, and December, flu shot clinics were held in the office and at six Grand Forks County sites, five assisted living facilities, and at several private businesses, organizations, and churches. A total of 1,920 influenza vaccinations were administered during this time frame with 450 influenza vaccinations administered to city and county employees. A Senior Health Fair was held at Parkwood Place on November 8 with more than 200 senior citizens attending the fair. Participants visited 18 exhibits, took part in health screenings, received flu shots, and were entertained by Fall Creek Men’s Quartet, Sister Elaine, Paul Millette and Marilyn Haggerty. The Senior Health Fair is sponsored by UND College of Nursing students, Grand Forks Public Health, and Parkwood Place. On November 17, the Disease Prevention Team sponsored a free flu shot clinic for Northwood residents. Vaccine was donated by Altru Health System, Aurora Medical Park, Polk County Public Health, Walsh County Public Health, the Greater Grand Forks Immunization Coalition, and an anonymous donor. Twenty-one children and fifty-seven adults were vaccinated. November 26 through December 2, “National Influenza Vaccination Week” was promoted with messages about flu vaccine in the media and an after-hours flu shot clinic. “World AIDS Day” was observed on December 1, with a display in the waiting room. Immunization Updates were held during December at Altru Family Medicine Center, Altru Pediatrics, and Grand Forks Public Health Dept. The updates focused on the transition to PROtect ND Kids Immunization Program. Health Services Team Members: Kathy Mack (team leader), Linda Opstad, Bill Lund, Stacie Olson Programs: Correctional Center, Home Visits, Office Nursing, School Nursing During October, November, and December, 1,333 clients were served by public health nurses in our office for services including TB skin tests, health teaching, immunizations, STD counseling, blood pressure monitoring, medication administration and head lice checks. During October, November, December, public health nurses made 512 home visits to residents in Grand Forks County. Services included health assessments, education, and medication setup, prenatal and newborn assessments. There were 20 admissions and 16 discharges during this period. During October, November, and December, Kathy Mack provided nine “Heart at Work” screenings for newly hired city employees. Kathy Mack provided additional nursing services at the Grand Forks County Correctional Center during October, November and December. Stacie Olson works fulltime at the correctional center and a part-time position is expected to be filled in January. In October, Stacie Olson provided CPR training for 10 Grand Forks County Correctional Officers. In October, 83 Tdap and 87 meningitis immunizations were given to 7th grade children in Grand Forks City and County Schools. Forty flu shots were given to school personnel in the county schools during that time.