issue 05-07
issue 05-07
July, 2005
Inside this issue...
New HCA appointments and promotions - (Page 1)
Event bids farewell to retiring HCA managers - (Page 1)
Annual survey brings strong response - (Page 2)
Student essay winners receive recognition - (Page 2)
Flores inducted - (Page 3)
Canul published - (Page 3)
August Health Observances - (Page 3)
CYS mentors receive recognition - (Page 4)
HCA Safety Program gets facelift - (Page 5)
Hovda receives MHB award - (Page 5)
HCA nurses recruit at Ontario Career Fair - (Page 5)
EMS receives Board resolution - (Page 6)
The month of July proved to be a busy month for HCA as several new appointments and promotions were announced within the Agency, replacing a number of senior managers headed on their new journey toward retirement.
Steve Franks, former Chief of Staff for Supervisor Jim Silva, will
assume Alice Manning's position as Deputy Agency Director of Financial and
Administrative Services. Steve will be responsible for the major financial and
administrative control and support for HCA. With an extensive background in County
government, including serving in the administrative ranks of the Health Care
Agency and as County Budget Manager in the County Administrative Office,
Steve brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his new position.
Former HCA Financial and Program Support Manager David Thiessen will assume the position of Chief of Quality Management, replacing Ron LaPorte. In his new role, David will be responsible for Agency planning, research and public information and communications. David brings an excellent background across County government, having served in the Personnel Department, County Administrative Office, and in several key functions of HCA, including Medical Services and Public Health.
Two promotions from within the ranks of Correctional Medical Services
include Maureen Robles, Correctional Medical Services Administrative Manager,
replacing Frank Madrigal who has also elected to retire after his tenure of service to HCA.
Kevin Smith, new Adult Mental Health Services Division Manager
Kevin Smith has been promoted to Division Manager overseeing all of Adult Mental Health Services. Kevin's experience with local law enforcement and the community will be extremely beneficial to the Agency in his new role.
Steve Franks, David Thiessen and Kevin Smith began their new positions with the Agency on Friday, July 8. Maureen Robles will begin her new position on Friday, July 22. HCA welcomes these talented individuals to their new roles. Alice Manning, Frank Madrigal and Ron LaPorte have served the Agency with distinction and brought multi-faceted talents and extensive knowledge and experience to their former positions. HCA sends best wishes to the them as they embark on their new adventures.
Glitz and glamour filled the air as HCA hosted a "Health Care Academy Awards" event for several retiring HCA managers at the Phoenix Club in Anaheim on June 22 to bid them farewell and send them best wishes for a happy retirement.
The celebratory event honored nine managers: Dana Bianco, Linda Boyd, Bill Ford, Darlene Gidley, Ron LaPorte, Frank Madrigal, Alice Manning, Greg Parris and Pam Skow who have contributed a total of 246 years of service to the County.
Each retiree was treated like a star, and received the red carpet treatment
as they were presented with an Academy Award from HCA presenters, as well
as resolutions from the Orange County Board of Supervisors. And, the occasion
just wouldn't be a party without a special musical tribute performed by Bambi and
the Disco Queens—Becky Robinson, Thea Bullock, Alice Moore, David Thiessen,
Lisa Bauer and Teri Schultz—who sang a version of the classic disco hit "I Will Survive.
Alice Manning played "Queen for the Day" during a celebratory occasion held on June 16 to send Alice best wishes on her new adventures in retirement. Alice was led on a "scavenger hunt," with clues along the way leading her to various HCA program offices at the 405 W. 5th Street building, to locate items to complete her royal highness' wardrobe. Pictured (left to right) are Dori Malloy, Alice Manning, Teri Schultz and Gina Van Quest, some members of the Queen's Court.
Annual survey brings strong response
The annual survey of Health Care Agency (HCA) staff regarding the Agency Compliance Program has provided valuable information from more than 1,000 individuals who completed the on-line survey process.
"We were very pleased with the response rate and with the fact that 100 of the survey participants took the time to provide us with more detailed feedback on the Compliance Program and how we can improve our efforts," said Jeff Nagel, HCA Chief Compliance Officer. The response rate of 36% was an improvement from 28% of staff responding to the 2004 survey. By conducting an annual survey, the Office of Compliance can measure how familiar HCA employees are with the Compliance Program, and identify areas for additional emphasis during the next year.
This year, over 97% of respondents stated they understand the reasons for HCA's Compliance Program and an equally high percentage said the HCA Code of Conduct is clear and easy to understand. In fact, almost two-thirds of Agency staff participating in the survey said they have referred to the Code of Conduct for guidance during the performance of their regular duties. Over 97% of respondents reported being aware of the policies and procedures that govern their jobs, and almost 90% said they feel the Agency's Management Team supports the goals and objectives of the program.
One area of concern identified through the survey is an increase in the percentage of staff that indicated that a fear of retaliation might prevent them from reporting a compliance concern to the program. "It is important that all HCA employees know that we have non-retaliation policies in place for the protection of those who in good faith report potential compliance issues," said Jeff Nagel. "This is a responsibility that we take very seriously and we investigate any and every allegation of possible retaliation that is brought to our attention. It is also interesting to note that over 90% of HCA employees participating in this year's survey were still confident that they would report a compliance concern."
More information about HCA's Compliance Program is available on the HCA Intranet at http://balsam/intranet/compliance/.
The HCA Compliance Program offers a confidential telephone hotline to voice your concerns about any situation that may conflict with Compliance Program principles. You may call the hotline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at: (866) 260-5636
Student essay winners receive recognition
Local Orange County students Eileen Chao, Kathryn Malczynski and Patrick Fox received recognition from the Board of Supervisors on June 7 for the winning essays they submitted to Nutrition Services 8th Annual Health and Nutrition Student Essay Contest. The students each received certificates presented to them by Chairman Campbell, Supervisor Norby and Supervisor Silva.
In addition to the certificates, the students were awarded savings bonds by Nutrition Services to further their education. Their winning essays were also displayed at the Hall of Administration. The topics of this year's winning essays included the importance of eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day; balancing food, exercise and relaxation to achieve an ideal body and soul; and how food labels can help individuals make informed food choices.
The annual essay contest provides a unique opportunity to engage students' critical thinking skills and increase their awareness of health and nutrition issues, and also helps them explore reliable sources of information.
Held annually during the month of March to promote National Nutrition Month, the essay contest is sponsored by HCA's Nutrition Services Program, Orange County Department of Education, California Dietetic Association-Orange District, O.C. Breastfeeding Coalition, O.C. Children and Weight Task Force, O.C. Nutrition Alert Coalition, Project LEAN-Orange Region, National Council Against Health Fraud, U.S. Food & Drug Administration-LA Office and the Federal Trade Commission.
The Nutrition Services program thanks all students and schools for participating
in this year's Health and Nutrition Essay contest. For more information about the
Nutrition Services Program, visit
www.ochealthinfo.com/public/nutrition or call (714) 834-7952.
Hats off to Susie Flores, Senior Office Supervisor for Birth & Death Registration, on being inducted into the National League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Women's Hall of Fame on July 1 in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Susie's long-standing membership with the organization is reflected in her work, which has had a positive impact on the Hispanic community. She was recognized as a living symbol of LULAC's philosophy, one that creates positive change through personal integrity and ethical leadership, and as a collaborative leader who inspires and motivates others.
A national organization founded in Corpus Christi, Texas in 1929, LULAC is the largest and oldest Hispanic Organization in the United States. LULAC advances the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, health and civil rights of Hispanic Americans through community-based programs operating at more than 700 LULAC councils nationwide.
Quotes
—Amy Carmichael
May memory restore again and again the smallest color of the smallest day.
—Delmore Schwartz
Congratulations to Rafael Canul, Ph.D. of Behavioral Health's Cultural Competency Program on the publication of his book titled, "Mexican Illegal Aliens: A Mexican American Perspective." The book focuses on the difficult and challenging motives and experiences of Mexican illegals that have settled in the U.S. since the 1920s.
Providing the first Mexican American historical perspective of Mexican illegal immigration to the United States during the last 50 years, the book further discusses how history and today's current situation impact the political articulation and discourse of Mexican Americans presently. Visit your local bookstore today to find copies of Rafael's new publication.
Eye Injury Prevention Month
National Immunization Awareness Month
Psoriasis Awareness Month
Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month
National Minority Donor Awareness Day 1
World Breastfeeding Week 1-7
Two outstanding Children and Youth Services-Project Together (CYS-PT) volunteer mentors, Barry Sohl and Asha Patel, were honored in June for making a difference through volunteering. Both received a Bronze President's Volunteer Service Award from the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation signifying their outstanding volunteer service and community involvement over the course of a 12-month period.
Barry Sohl is an example of the enormous impact one person can have on the life of a child. His dedication, compassion and patience as a mentor with CYS Project Together have changed his mentee's life in numerous ways, according to the child's therapist, Mary Herzog, Psychologist I, at the CYS West Region clinic.
Nearly three years ago, a shy 9-year-old boy was doing poorly in school and getting in trouble at home. Through Barry's support and guidance, the youth is now motivated to study for tests, earn good grades, and eagerly reads books for pleasure, a significant improvement from a time when he didn't even know how to study.
Asha Patel has mentored a selectively mute CYS client since December of 2003. Asha patiently provides unconditional support and friendship to this 8-year-old child, and in doing so, has observed subtle, yet significant progress in the child's relationship with the spoken word.
According to the child's therapist, Pam Berg, Clinical Psychologist II,
CYS
East Region Clinic, "Asha has been a wonderful mentor and I cannot praise
her work highly enough. She is mature and incredibly committed to this child.
She has been quite resourceful in coming up with strategies to address the
mutism and has succeeded in getting the child to "read" aloud by
mouthing words. She is now working on creating a comfort level with a tape
recorder in the room in the hope that the child will eventually speak
in front of it."
Asha sees the child at school and has worked cooperatively
with
her teacher, who views Asha as a critical collaborator on this case. The child
has made significant progress thanks to Asha's enthusiasm and consistency.
Both Barry and Asha are outstanding examples of the dedication and commitment required to be a CYS-Project Together volunteer mentor and a President's Service Award recipient. For more information on how to become a CYS-Project Together Volunteer Mentor or to learn more about the program call (714) 796-0100 or visit www.ochealthinfo.com/behavioral/cyspt/home.htm.
The HCA Safety Program is new, improved and working hard to ensure a safe working environment for all of us. To meet that challenge, the Program is growing to include one Safety Inspector, one Administrative Manager I and one supervising Administrative Manager I. And there's been a lot of activity.
In April, in an effort to strengthen the Departmental Safety Representative role in the Agency, the Safety Office trained over 160 Departmental Safety Representatives, back-up Representatives and Program Managers. Departmental Safety Representatives, or DSRs, are volunteers who, in addition to their regular job, take on the responsibility of maintaining a safe work environment, training co-workers in safety, and ensuring compliance with California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) regulations.
DSRs and Program Managers are not the only ones to receive training. Cal/OSHA requires that all employees undergo annual safety training. And so safety training is being extended to all employees through a new on-line program available later this summer. The convenience of an on-line program and the ability to learn at one's own pace should make meeting this requirement a lot easier.
A monthly "DSR Newsletter" begins this summer and serves as a means of continuing training for DSRs. Topics include such things as what to do when Cal/OSHA arrives at your site for a surprise inspection!
The Safety Office is updating and standardizing the required "red" safety binders at all HCA work sites; improving an internal audit program; working with CEO/Risk Management to improve areas of vulnerability; and establishing Safety Program performance measures. Of course, the Safety Office continues to do inspections, ergonomic evaluations, and respond to safety concerns as needed.
A safe work environment is dependent on the awareness and participation of everyone in HCA. The Safety Office welcomes suggestions as to how to further improve our Program. If you have ideas or comments, please e-mail Sam Love, Safety Inspector, or Jennifer Giancarlo in the Safety Office.
Congratulations to Suzy Hovda, Marriage Family Therapist II for Behavioral Health's Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services Dual Diagnostic Clinic in Westminster, on receiving the Orange County Mental Health Board's (MHB) quarterly Exemplary Service Award.
Suzy serves as the primary full-time Officer of the Day (OD), and acts as the primary gatekeeper for the alcohol and drug abuse system at the Westminster clinic. She provides assessments, including crisis evaluations, initial hospitalization, and diagnosis and linkage to other facilities for incoming clients requesting treatment for co-occurring disorders.
Suzy is noted for her ability to quickly establish a positive rapport with clients, and for her natural insight in successfully working with sensitive clients and situations which require special skills. She never hesitates to go into the community whenever the need arises and interface with board and care facilities, recovery homes and other community programs, which is crucial to the clients' overall well being.
Recently, Suzy assisted in a 5150 evaluation for a dual diagnosis client whose
family had been struggling to contain his increasingly violent behavior. The
client was hospitalized and processed for residency in a long-term treatment
facility. The effort required Suzy's cooperation and coordination with other
agencies. Her ability to work with these agencies helps to facilitate efficient,
effective and timely support to clients and families in need.
HCA nurses recruit at Ontario Career Fair
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Editors Tricia Landquist Landquist
Howard Sutter
Anne Fialcowitz
Your Input
Phone (714) 834-6644
E-mail TLandquist@ochca.com
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