HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-28-1992 Board of Health MinutesBOARD MEETING
JULY 28, 1992
The Board of Directors of the Plainview -Hale County Health Dist-
rict met on Tuesday, July 28, 1992, at approximately 12:30 P.M.
at the Golden Corral Steakhouse.
Those attending were: Lanny Voss, Dorothy Tilson, Dr. Mary Bub -
lis, Mary Lou Truesdale, Lewellen Hooper, Kit Linton, M.D., Don-
na Womble, Earl Brown, Nina Morris, Medlin Carpenter and City
Manager Jim Jeffers. Also present were Diane Gillit, Director of
Health Services of South Plains Community Action in Levelland;
Carol Pavilika, Family Planning Services Coordinator of Texas De-
partment of Health in Austin; James K. Morgan,M.D., M.P.H., Dire-
ctor of Texas Department of Health, Region 2, in Lubbock; Dan Re-
yna from Harlingen; Tommy Snell from Region 2 in Lubbock; Ann Mc
Adams,R.N,B.S.N. from the Department and Secretary Billie Standefer.
Chariman Voss recognized Dr. James K. Morgan to discuss the Pub-
lic Health Needs Accessment, and explained that , even though
this was not the first item on the agenda, it would be discussed
first, in order to allow the guest to meet their travel schedule.
Dr. Morgan stated Texas Department of Health, Region 2, had been
asked to do a review of the Public Health system structure in
Plainview, including Administrative structure and external struc-
ture. Be explained that it was not his intent to "come in and
tell the Department how the system should work, but rather to
see what all concerned parties wanted to do."
Dr. Mary Bublis, Director of Plainview -Hale County Health Dis-
trict, suggested getting more teen-agers active and involved in
Public Health Services.
Mrs. Truesdale expressed a hope that the review would help to de-
termine "things that were being done correctly, things that could
be improved and things that might be being overlooked." She stated
organizing to consolidate agencies to better serve clients and
better save the "Tax Payer's dollar" should be a major goal.
Ann Mc Adams stated that she was in agreement with Mrs. Trues -
dale's ideas.
Dr. Morgan explained the review would give a broad sense of what
the community needs and wants; that it was nothing more than tak-
ing a look within the Health Department to determine a "needs"
accessment. He said he hoped the review would get the community
"on fire" about Public Health and help them to understand how
Public Health affects their everyday lives.
Lewellen Hooper stated he, like Dr. Bublis, would like to see the
young people take an interest in Public Health.
Medlin Carpenter, a new member on the Board, stated he was very
interested in seeing the coming together of South Plains Health
Provider and Plainview -Hale County Health District to eliminate
duplication of services.
Dr. Morgan explained the blending of Preventive Health Care and
Primary Health Care would be a solution for both of these serv-
ices to "get their just dues", and that the "under one roof" con-
cept would be the nearest the community could get to this.
Nina Morris, Commissioner, stated that , having been interested
in and concerned about Public Health for a number of years, she
felt that until a blending of the agencies could be carried out,
everyone was "very satisfied" with the way the Health Department
was carrying out it's responsibilities.
Chairman Voss recognized Dan Reyna, a Public Health Review coor-
dinator. Reyna stated the gathering of information would be of
great importance. Points he listed were: (1) Where do we stand
now? (2) What are we trying to accomplish? (3) What are we accom-
plishing? He said we were off to a good start and stated it was
very impressive to see an active Board. Be explained that the
proposed review was an effort to guide the future of Public
Health, and asked the Boards assistance in working together with
others to accomplish planned goals. He said, "The more we can
work together, the more we can get done, with less." Plans call-
ed for meeting with Advisory Boards, Governing Boards and other
community organizations, he said. He stated that nothing would
change overnight, but the review would establish a direction.
Tommy Snell, Program Coordinataor, Region 2, Lubbock, stated he felt
they had a good group; a mixture of people from the Regional Off-
ice, Central Office and area people. He said plans were to meet
with groups, as well as individuals in Plainview.
To discuss Family Planning Services, the Chairman recognized Dia-
ne Gillit, Director of Health Services, South Plains Community
Action of Levelland and Carol Pavilika, Family Planning Coordi-
nator from Austin. He asked Mrs. Truesdale if she wanted them
to address the Board.
Mrs. Truesdale explained that, in the morning meeting - with Ms.
Gillit and Ms. Pavalika present, they had worked through the
problem with Family Planning Services. She stated, at this
time, they had decided to extend the existing contract. This
would allow time to take a closer look at the problem. She sta-
ted this would work well for the Deparatment; that Ms Gillit and
Ms. Pavilika were pleased, also. Mrs. Truesdale said the pian
included enlarging the number and times of Family Planning Clin-
ics, which would allow Lee to be utilized more in the area of her
expertise. The plans also allowed Toni Rodriguez to remain on the
Health Department Staff as Ms. Gillit's employee.
Ms. Gillit stated that South Plains Community Action had had a co-
operataive agreement with Plainview -Hale County Health District
for many years. She explained that her concern about this matter
rf '
was a matter of finance. She said the change in Personnel laws
and the inflationary job market was making it necessary to take
a closer look at providing services. Explaining the increase in
salaries for Nurse Practitioners, she expressed concern in being
able to retain a Nurse Practitioner. Her concern also, was the
need to increase services to justify her Title XX grant.
There was a lengthy discussion of Family Planning statistics, with
Ms. Gillit stating there was room for growth in Family Planning
Services in Hale County, and she wanted to keep the community in-
volved as much as possible. To share information importance in
statistics, she handed each member present printed reports.
(Please see attached.)
Mrs. Truesdale explained that Kit Linton, M.D., would continue (if
she so agreed) to be the Family Planning coordinator for Hale
County.
Ms. Pavilika said the two agencies did want to continue to work
together to serve Family Planning patients in Hale County. How-
ever, she said this might be temporary, until January, if another
facility (to accomodate both agencies) is not found.
Nina Morris, Commissioner, asked what doctor would oversee the
Family Planning Services, in the event the proposed plan did not
work.
Ms. Pavilika said it would be South Plains Community Action's
decision.
Ms. Gillit stated her preference would be Dr. Linton. She said
her alternative would be a doctor out of Lubbock.
Chairman Voss asked Dr.Linton if she had any comment on these
proposals.
Dr. Linton stated that the service was very essential for all
Family Planning patients, especially teen-agers. She said she
felt very strongly that the service needed to continue to keep
things as they are now, with the services coming from the Health
Department. She explained that the patients know about the ser-
vice at Plainview -Hale County Health District and, if it were
moved elsewhere, some of the patients might not get the service.
She said she hoped a better facility could be found for continued
services under the Health Department.
Chairman Voss stated that a committee was at work to locate a
facility to accomodate combined services. He thanked the guests
for their interest and help.
A motion was made by Dorothy Tilson, and seconded by Earl Brown,
that the expenditures for June be payed. The motion carried by
a vote from the Board.
1 !'
After notification of mispelled words in the minutes, they were
approved as presented.
Dr. Mary Bublis, Medical Director, shared that Strep, Gastro En-
teritis, URI'S, sore throat and Pneumonia were currently the most
reported communicable diseases.
After extending excused absences to Dr. Turner, Dr. Abercrombie
and Dr. Loggins, the Chairman adjourned the meeting.
Billie Standef r
Secretary