issue 03-4
issue 03-4
April, 2003
Providing the community with prevention education is a motivating factor for Kim Pickering, Chronic Disease & Injury Prevention (CDIP) Program Supervisor. Kim oversees several prevention and education programs including bicycle helmet and car seat safety, diabetes and cancer prevention as well as child drowning and violence prevention, just to name a few.
As part of the program, Kim also provides consultation to various community organizations, offering technical assistance with data needs and strategic program planning.
A former Arizona resident, Kim moved to Southern California and began her career with the Health Care Agency a year and a half ago. She has since enjoyed working with members of the community and her co-workers in Health Promotion to assist in offering the community information that will help them lead healthy lives.
According to her colleagues, Kim provides her staff with the flexibility necessary to plan and execute effective programs and acts as a sounding board and support mechanism to ensure their success.
"Helping to improve the quality of life for members of the community is something I clearly enjoy," said Kim.
Prior to joining HCA, Kim had previously worked with the Arizona State Department of Health for 5 years as a tobacco use and prevention educator. She received a Masters in Public Health from the University of Arizona and a Bachelor's degree in Health Education from Northern Arizona.
"My position gives me the opportunity to work on a wide variety of topics and that's what makes it interesting and challenging at the same time," Kim added. "In the future, I would like to continue on the same path and help others by providing them with the knowledge that lead them on a road to healthy living."
As part of the diverse programs Kim participates in, she enjoys working with Behavioral Health's Mental Illness Stigma Elimination Campaign. Kim's involvement has given her the opportunity to learn about the disease and how the community's misperceptions add to the stigma that is associated with the disease. Kim has also been instrumental in the creation of the Active for Life Campaign, a workplace physical activity program for HCA employees.
Kim is expecting her first baby in May and hopes to find the time, once the baby arrives, to continue enjoying her favorite hobbies of kickboxing, hiking and jogging.
Mark your calendars for the upcoming Southern California Public Health Association's (SCPHA) Annual Conference, "Building Healthy Futures: Public Health Makes a Difference." The conference will be held on Friday, May 9th from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Cerritos Sheraton Hotel.
Conference highlights include keynote speakers Dr. Diana M. Bontá, California Department of Health Services Director and Jay H. Glasser, American Public Health Association President who will be honoring Senator Sheila Kuehl as the 2003 SCPHA Legislator of the Year.
For more information about the conference or to register, call Jennifer Paratt at (562) 699-3484, ext. 1264, or visit the Public Health Foundation Enterprises website at www.phfe.org.
A public forum to address mental illness and the stigma of mental illness will take place on Thursday, May 8th from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Hall of Administration Board of Supervisors & Planning Commission Meeting Rooms.
Hosted by the Orange County Mental Health Board, the free event provides an open forum for clients and family members, mental health professionals and interested community members to voice their concerns and pose questions about mental illness. For more information about the forum, contact Judy Griset at (714) 834-5481.
The annual Multicultural Conference presented by the Health Care Agency in collaboration with the Pacific Clinics Institute continues to attract more attendees each year. Held at the Irvine Marriott on March 12th, the conference entitled "A Proud Past, A Powerful Future" aimed to enhance and build upon the multicultural skills of mental health professionals and assist in furthering the development of best practices that include our diverse communities.
Plenary speaker Stanley Sue, Ph.D., educated attendees on the topic of "Culture, Mental Health & Treatment: Controversies from the Surgeon General's Report," while Keh Ming Lin, MD, provided an in-depth look at "Ethnicity and Psychopharmacology."
The conference continues to serve as a great opportunity for Behavioral Health professionals as well as those in the health care field to learn how to better serve the Orange County community.
CCS Chief Therapist Cathy Babiak presents Katy Clodfelter with the Therapist of the Year Award.
Congratulations to Katy Clodfelter, Physical Therapist for the California Children's Services (CCS) Program, on receiving the Therapist of the Year Award. Katy works at the Reilly Medical Therapy Unit in Mission Viejo and was recognized for excellence in leadership skills, community service and professional organization participation.
Katy is known by her colleagues as an enthusiastic and hard-working individual who is always willing to assist and problem solve with other therapists on complex cases. She also goes above and beyond to provide the best services for her clients and continues to inspire those around her, including other therapists, who look to her as a role model.
Smallpox Preparedness Program
In December of 2002 through January 2003, the Health Care Agency began implementing its smallpox vaccination plans and informing employees about the volunteer vaccination program. With more than 1,000 employees in attendance at the information sessions, many responded to the request for volunteers and became vaccinated at the start of the program last month.
Since March 12th, 49 employees have been vaccinated including County Health Officer, Dr. Mark Horton. Vaccinated employees become part of the Public Health Response Team and act as the first responders for any smallpox case in the County. A group of responders will also serve as investigators and others will participate in the vaccination clinics in the community.
HCA is actively preparing health care providers in the community, by providing smallpox education sessions designed to increase the ability of care providers to recognize any potential smallpox case. Vaccinations for hospital volunteers began this month and HCA continues to work with local hospitals to provide staff with educational and informational material regarding the voluntary vaccination program.
Once vaccinated, some employees experience minor reactions. Sore arms and itching were the main complaints, and most felt that the discomfort was short. For those interested in participating in the voluntary vaccination program, call (714) 834-8560 for more information or to schedule an appointment. The program will continue through the month of May.
Deputy Agency Director, Dr. Mark Horton is presented with a Public Health Resolution by Supervisor Tom Wilson during the April 8th Board of Supervisors meeting.
In celebration of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week from May 18 - 24, HCA's EMS is partnering with the Orange County Fire Chiefs Association, the Sheriff's Department, the Hospital Association of Southern California and the Orange County Ambulance Association to create a week of education, public information and community outreach.
The series of events aims to educate the public about the many vital emergency services available throughout the community and will culminate in an opportunity to honor and celebrate Orange County EMS personnel with the World Champion Angels.
Mark your calendars for Sunday, May 25th and join the Anaheim Angels for a 1 p.m. ball game against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays at Edison International Field. Plan a family day and enjoy in the festivities. Tailgates featuring food and demonstrations under the Big A will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. where emergency response vehicles will be on display, as well as free blood pressure check stations and general emergency preparedness information.
Game tickets located in the left and right Family Pavilion sections are available for $15 and can be purchased through Thursday, May 1st at the EMS office located on the third floor of the 405 W. 5th Street building or fill out and mail the ticket order form on page 4 along with a check payment. For more information, call the EMS office at (714) 834-3500 or visit www.ochealthinfo.com/medical/emsweek/home.htm.
EMS Week honors the individuals who often risk their lives in providing lifesaving care to those in need 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In observance, the Orange County Board of Supervisors will also present a resolution during their May 20th meeting declaring May 18 - 24 as EMS Week.
Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves. —James M. Barrie
Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month
Hepatitis Awareness Month
Lyme Disease Awareness Month
Mental Health Month
National Arthritis Month
National Osteoporosis Prevention Month
Skin Cancer Awareness Month
National Safe Kids Week 3-10
National Women's Health Week 11-17
National Emergency Medical Services Week 18-24
Buckle Up America! Week 19-26
National Senior Health and Fitness Day 28
we're on-line!
You can check out the latest issues of the Health Care Agency's newsletters by using this URL:
http://www.ochealthinfo.com/newsletters/
We will keep current issues on line for a year. Let us know how you like the convenience!
What's UP is a newsletter for employees of the County of Orange, CA, Health Care Agency.
Editors Tricia Landquist
Howard Sutter
Anne Fialcowitz
Your Input
Phone (714) 834-6644
E-mail TLandquist@ochca.com
FAX (714) 834-7644
Pony Bldg. 38-S, 4th Floor
Make checks payable to HCA/Orange County Education & Training Advisory Committee.
Submission must be post marked no later than May 1, 2003.
Print and complete all information and send this request form, check, and a self-addressed stamped envelope no later than May 1, 2003 to:
Orange County Emergency Medical Services
Attention: Pamela McFadden
405 W. 5th Street, Suite 301A
Santa Ana, CA 92701
NAME
ADDRESS
CITY
ZIP
TELEPHONE
# of Tickets x $15 = Total $
For additional information, call (714) 834-3500 or use the web address below:
http://www.ochealthinfo.com/medical/emsweek/home.htm
The Health Care Agency invites you to attend the Agency Operations Center (AOC) open house on Thursday, May 8th from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. located at 405 W. 5th Street in conference room 433 on the 4th floor. Come take a tour and learn how the Center is designed to improve Orange County's emergency disaster services and interact with AOC Staff who will be available to answer questions.
Unlike the County's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) on Loma Ridge, the AOC is located closer to home to further streamline the coordination between HCA and other agencies represented at the EOC. Equipped with the latest technologies and communication devices, the AOC was created through funding received from the Centers for Disease Control to assist with local preparedness for terrorism, infectious disease outbreaks and other public health threats and/or emergencies.
Coordinated by the Emergency Medical Services' Bioterrorism & Planning Program, the AOC will serve as the central command center for HCA staff from all Agency programs to work together to coordinate activities in the event of an emergency or disaster. Staff will have access to telephone & data lines, laptop computers, cellular and satellite phones and 800 MHz radios to assist in their coordination efforts.
Although some disaster personnel have already been assigned to the AOC, there is still a need for additional support staff. If you are interested in offering assistance and have had previous training in disaster response, now is the time to sign up! For more information on how to become involved or for further details about the open house, contact Barry Havlik at (714) 834-6168 or via e-mail at Bhavlik@ochca.com.
In celebration of Public Health Week from April 7th to the 11th, an open house was held at the 17th Street Clinic on Thursday, April 10th to showcase Health Care Agency services and program. The event honored the efforts of HCA public health professionals who protect, promote and enhance the health of all Orange County residents.
Attendees were able to learn more about the Agency's programs and their various services as they viewed display boards and enjoyed refreshments. County officials were also given the opportunity to tour the Bioterrorism/Public Health Laboratory as well as the 17th Street Clinic and meet HCA staff.
Attendees at this year's Public Health Week celebration enjoyed learning about the Agency's programs as they viewed display boards and mingled with other HCA staffers.
April 14th has come and gone and the Privacy Regulations included in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) are now part of our everyday operations at the Health Care Agency.
First, our thanks to all of those who have spent countless hours working to implement the Notice of Privacy Practice (NPP), as well as drafting the Policies and Procedures that put the HIPAA privacy regulations to work in our programs and services. Without your help and support, HIPAA compliance would have been a much more difficult task.
While all of the implementation activity was underway at the program level, several important steps have been taken to ensure the County of Orange meets all of the HIPAA requirements. A long-time county employee, Vicki Landrus, has been named the County Privacy Officer. Vicki will be housed at the County Executive Office and she will be one of the avenues open to the public to report any concerns about privacy violations. The Privacy Officer is responsible for creating and implementing the policies and procedures for the covered entity (the County of Orange), in compliance with the HIPAA privacy regulations. We also now have a County Security Officer, Jack Miller of CEO Information Technology. While the compliance date for HIPAA's security requirements is in 2005, there are security elements in the Privacy Rule that require attention now as well as planning in order to meet the later deadline. Together, Vicki and Jack will provide important guidance to HCA in its HIPAA implementation efforts.
County employees in other agencies now have access to the same great HIPAA information featured on the HCA Intranet. By referencing the HIPAA site on the County Intranet, employees can access a list of HIPAA contacts at the County's designated components, a list of frequently asked questions and the 2003 HIPAA implementation schedule. You can check it out at http://www.ocgov.com/hipaa.
From sending care packages and tying yellow ribbons to donating blood at a local American Red Cross, showing support for our troops in the Middle East has become a way for us at home to show our appreciation for the unwavering efforts of our military.
For some HCA employees, a relative or friend of the family may be in Iraq fighting to help provide the Iraqi people with the freedom that we are grateful to experience here in the United States. Currently, two HCA employees, Manny Hernandez, Building Manager for HCA's 17th Street Facility and Carla Marcinek, Supervising Public Health Nurse for the Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health (MCAH) program have been called to active duty.
Orange County families are encouraged to either mail or drop off photos of their loved ones who are currently serving in the war (preferably 5x7) for inclusion in the "Wall of Heroes" display at the Hall of Administration. Mail or drop off photos to the Orange County Veterans Service Office at 1300 South Grand Ave., Bldg. B, Santa Ana, CA 92705. Please include rank, first and last name, unit and city in which he/she resides. The display was jointly created by Assemblyman Ken Maddox and Supervisor Jim Silva, to help put a face to the names of many brave Orange County troops fighting in Operation Iraqi Freedom. For more information, call the Veterans Office at (714) 567-7485.
To help show your support and gratitude to the men and women fighting in Operation Iraqi Freedom, listed are some opportunities to volunteer and/or contribute. Don't forget to also wear your flag "safety pin" pins that were popular during the United Way Fundraising Campaign.
• Donate to the United Service Organization's "Operation Care Package" at www.usocares.org/home.htm.
• Donate items and learn how to create military care packages through "Operation Interdependence" at www.oidelivers.org.
• Donate long-distance calling cards so service members can call their families via "Operation Uplink" at www.operationuplink.org.
• Send an online greeting and/or thank-you card at www.anyservicemember.navy.mil, www.operationdearabby.net or http://defendamerica.mil/nam.html.
• Donate gift certificates to military dependents at www.commissaries.com.
• Donate blood for use by military members at www.oc-redcross.org.
• Adopt-a-Platoon by sending care packages at www.adoptaplatoon.org.
• Support groups for military moms and wives are available at www.militarywivesandmoms.org.
• Other suggestions can also be found at www.usafreedomcorps.gov, www.defendamerica.mil, http://national.unitedway.org, www.nmfa.org and at www.nmcrs.org.
• The Orange County Register also provides links to various website resources regarding the war effort at www.ocregister.com/features/iraq/resources.
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