Health Department Advisory Board Report 4-24-1013

Health Board Advisory Board Meeting Report.

    The Riley County Health Department Advisory Board met at 4PM on April 24th at the Health Department. The meeting was chaired by Ginny Barnard from Riley County Extension.  Other
members present were Michael Cates, KSU Public Health Program Director, Judy Warner, Vice President at Mercy Health, Brad Starnes, Superintendent USD 378 Riley County, Paul Bennes, MD
Fort Riley Public Health Director, and Karen McCulloh, community representative as well as City Commissioner.
    Also present were Bob Boyd, County Commissioner, Rich Vargo, who is acting in part until a new Administrator is hired if critical decisions have to be made, Paula Pedersen, new office manager for the Health Department since Mindy Robbins has resigned, and Katy Vaughn, Health Educator and Accreditation coordinator.
    After the minutes were approved Karen McCulloh stated that the Derek Mosier, Veterinarian representative  and Rick Fulton, DDS had indicated that the 4PM meeting time was not convenient for them and that the former meeting time at noon would suit them better.  This item, however, was not discussed.
    Handouts included the budget calendar listing necessary actions culminating in the adoption of the final budget on August 25, 2013. Also included was a  listing of personnel allocation as of 4-24-2013.  Marcia Tannehill took on the task of explaining the activities of each department considered in the budget separately.  The in depth discussion of what each department attempts to provide was applauded by the members of the Board. At the conclusion of the presentation Dr. Paul Henne stated his opposition to having a primary care clinic at the Health Department as not the purpose or the proper activity for the Public Health Department.  Karen McCulloh discussed the reason the Primary Care clinic was started and that it had come from a perceived need in the community and that much discussion and research had been done before the clinic was begun.  Dr. Henne suggested that there was a better way to serve this need and stated that there was interest from the Primary Care Clinic in Junction City to expand and that they are better set up and funded for such a clinic in Manhattan.  The “Flint Hills” clinic that is open one night a week is not ready to take on a full time primary care clinic. Further discussion of the issue is certain to take place as the budget activities and funding sources are examined in the coming weeks and months. There was
discussion of possibly appointing a sub committee to come up with “What the Priorities of the Health Department Should Be”.     Karen McCulloh stated that as funding will be a major issue, it will be important for the Advisory Board be able to lobby for necessary funds for the Department and thus have in depth knowledge of the needs and how best to meet them.
    Michael Cates, KSU member reported that interviews for a new administrator had started.  There were six candidates for the first round of interviews.
    The next meeting will be May 8th at 4PM.

Submitted by Sue Cohen