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Year 10 Leadership
Projects
| Allen, Phyllis |
Improving Classification and Compensation for Public Health Nutrition Personnel in South Carolina
The purpose of this leadership project is to update and improve the current position classification used by the State of South Carolina for the nutritionist class titles. The South Carolina Budget and Control Board’s Office of Human Resources (OHR) revised the classification and compensation system in 1995. However, the current class titles are outdated and are not reflective of the current positions for public health nutrition personnel in South Carolina. |
| Brady, Karen |
Enhanced Communication Through Meaningful Documentation
The purpose of this project is to establish enhanced communication through meaningful documentation within the TN Department of Health Emergency Preparedness Section. Documentation of activities is an increasing important component to successful grant applications and securing resources. This project instilled a behavior of documenting activities from the planning stages to full completion for use as justifications for future ventures as necessary. My goal, through enhanced documentation, was to share the success stories with others across the state and establish a "best practice" type of approach to common situations. |
| Brown, Muriel |
Opening the World of Learning "OWL"
The purpose of this project is to build a foundation of learning for Pre-K age students attending Creedmoor Elementary School in Granville County, North Carolina. This venture is a new pilot program which will be fully implemented by September 2007. |
| Cassell, Cynthia |
Assessment of Barriers to Care among Families of Children with Orofacial Clefts and Development of Community Partnerships
The primary purpose of this project was to examine barriers to care among North Carolina families of children with orofacial clefts (OFC), a type of birth defect. The secondary objective is to develop community partnerships among the North Carolina Birth Defects Monitoring Program (NCBDMP) and various craniofacial teams and centers in the state, national non-profit organizations related to OFC. The methods for this project included administering a mail/phone survey in English and Spanish to all mothers of North Carolina resident children with OFC born 2001 between 2004. It was envisioned that by examining the results of the survey and sharing them with various organizations and communities, these families would have increased access to health services for their children, ultimately improving the health outcomes of children with OFC. The leadership development opportunity allowed me to communicate with national, state, and local agencies and organizations affiliated with services and treatment of children with OFC. |
| Conner, Laura |
Improving Service Excellence and Continuous Quality Improvement in Public Health for Better Internal and External Outcomes: Preparing for Accreditation
The purpose of this project is to assess readiness of two local health departments in Tennessee to undergo a voluntary accreditation process. The results of this assessment will guide interventions to provide local health department employees with tools to improve service excellence and continuous quality improvement activities in the provision of essential public health services, to improve both internal and external outcomes, and to reduce/eliminate barriers to accessing care. Improved internal outcomes will be evident with better teamwork, improved communication, and increased efficiency and cost-effectiveness of operations. Improved external outcomes will be seen by improved public awareness and knowledge of local health department services, increase in both the number of patient encounters and unduplicated patients, improvements in community partnerships and collaborations, and, over time, improved community health status. A variety of tools will be used to assess accreditation readiness including the Operational Definition of a Functional Local Health Department, Principles of the Ethical Practice of Public Health, community re-assessment, and the National Public Health Performance Standards. |
| Cook, Elizabeth |
Regional WIC Certification Training
The objective of this project was to develop a regional training for those employees who have the responsibility of certifying participants for the Women, Infants and Children Supplemental Nutrition Program (WIC). (The employees who certify WIC participants will hereafter be called certifying professional authorities, CPAs) Historically this training has been at the discretion of the immediate supervisor because Tennessee does not have an official training for CPAs at the state or regional level. This has created a great disparity in the quantity and quality of instruction provided these health professionals. Regional supervisors met to develop a survey for gathering information regarding training needs from trained and untrained WIC CPAs and then to develop an appropriate curriculum. Leadership development occurred with the gathering of regional supervisors for this project, including the State of Tennessee WIC Program Director as mentor, and in initiating a regional WIC training program. |
| Cook, Joy |
Bridging the Communication Gap
The purpose of this project is to improve communication between Local Health Department leaders (County Health Department Directors, Nursing Supervisors, and Office Managers) and Community Services staff. A communication gap led to missed opportunities for collaborative efforts and a perceived lack of support for some program goals. Two pre-intervention surveys were developed, administered, and analyzed. The first survey asked Community Services (CS) staff how satisfied they were with their awareness and knowledge of Local Health Department (LHD) leadership. The second asked LHD leaders how satisfied they were with their awareness and knowledge of Community Services staff. Both surveys asked participants to identify specific problems as well as suggestions for improving any communication gaps. |
| Daniels, Gina |
The Reorganization and Restructuring of Vital Records
The on-site customer service area for the Central Office of Vital Records needs to be enlarged and redesigned to accommodate increased demands for requests of vital events (births, deaths marriages, divorces). The goals are to completely renovate the customer service area, utilize current staff to incorporate the “point of sale” concept, and improve service to all citizens who requests our services by utilizing a new web-based vital event registration system. The results of this project are the approval of the redesign project by the Budget and Control Board, which is chaired by the Governor of South Carolina. This project allowed me to further develop my communication, time-management and negotiation skills. I also enhanced my skills as a team leader and project manager. |
| Dobbins, Chris |
North Carolina Bill to Reinstate Medicaid Funding for Male Circumcisions
The purpose of my project was to seek a “Bill Sponsor” willing to support reinstating Medicaid funding for male circumcisions. The North Carolina General Assembly eliminated funding from the NC budget in September 2002 and new data suggests that circumcisions can reduce a man’s risk of contracting AIDS by almost 50%. The project afforded me an exceptional opportunity to not only improve my leadership skills (facilitation, conflict resolution, negotiation and time management), but to also better understand how advocacy affects our legislative process. |
| Douglas, JD |
Increasing Water Treatment Plant Preparedness in Southwestern West Virginia
The purpose of this project is to raise awareness and to increase preparedness of water treatment plants in southwestern West Virginia, for events such as mechanical failure, terrorist attack, natural disaster, or pandemic flu outbreak. I hope to raise the awareness of the importance of safe, reliable, treated water; subsequently, helping water treatment systems become more prepared to face possible future events, and even improve normal day to day operations in the process. My efforts, along with those working with me, are resulting in the implementation of several new programs. Efforts even resulted in the Governor of the State of West Virginia talking about the importance of drinking water during an awards ceremony at the Capitol, with all local media outlets in attendance. |
| Greene, Shermalyn |
Establishing a Molecular Diagnostic Testing Quality Assurance Program for Detection of Infectious Diseases – Validation of Molecular Tests at the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health
High-quality clinical laboratory services are critical for public health. Accurate and timely laboratory results are important in identifying, tracking, controlling, and preventing public health threats. The majority of public health laboratories’ clinical activities must be compliant to the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) which define most basic quality systems for clinical laboratories. However, these regulations provide no specific guidance on molecular diagnostic testing. Public health molecular laboratory directors are being faced with the task of establishing quality assurance programs that are conducive with the mission and scope of their respective laboratories. The North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health (NCSLPH), like many state public health labs, has been offering an increasing number of molecular diagnostic tests for preliminary detection of infectious disease agents. To better maintain CLIA compliance, a molecular diagnostics quality assurance program was established. This study project presents the development and implementation of the quality control procedures, which assure the accuracy and reliability of tests results and subsequent reports, for method validation of molecular diagnostic testing. |
| Hanna, Samir |
Evaluation of Tennessee Health Department Response to Legislation Calling for Looser Regulations of Unpasteurized Milk Sales
In spite of universal laws requiring pasteurization, special interest groups in Tennessee and several states have been able to get exceptions to sale raw milk through unique arrangements such as cow share, creating "certified" dairies of various sorts or allowing "sales" through one‑on‑one arrangements on the farm or at farmers markets, etc. Over the past 20 years there continue to be many outbreaks large and small of disease occurring through these "gaps" in pasteurized milk ordinances in the U.S. including Tennessee, as well as an increasing problem with imported products primarily for and through ethnic populations. The purpose of this project is to provide an overview of the response of the Tennessee Department of Health to the bill submitted to the House Representatives to amend the current statute for Dairy Law (TCA, Title 53, Chapter 3) relative to raw milk production and sale. This project will also evaluate the different categories of how raw milk is being sold or marketed by different states and discuss the outbreaks or clusters linked to consumption of raw milk. |
| Harris-Hawkins, Debra |
Mobile Mammography in Harnett County
The purpose of this project is to provide a mammography-screening program for the women of Harnett County. The Mammography Outreach Program (MOP) will work to increase access for mammography screening and increase the number of uninsured women and minorities who receive mammography screenings. |
| Hemstreet, Lisa |
Community Partnerships: Working Together to Identify Developmentally Delayed and/or Medically Fragile Homeless Infants & Toddlers
This project focused on establishing relationships with community agencies who serve homeless families of children birth to age 3 who may be eligible for the North Carolina Infant Toddler Program. A contact list was developed and a series of meetings scheduled to discuss the services offered by the various agencies and how these children can be identified and referred to the Infant Toddler Program. The number of referrals received from these agencies as well as the number of children made eligible for the program were tracked through a database system. |
| Hoy, Debbie and Jennifer Williams |
Orientation of Communicable and Environment Disease Staff in Tennessee
The purpose of this project was to create an orientation checklist/task form for new employees in the Communicable Disease Sections (CDC) of Health Departments in the State of Tennessee. The checklist included skills that new employees must have to successfully perform in each program of the Communicable Disease Section. Jennifer Williams and Debbie Hoy worked with the Metro and Rural Regions in Tennessee in designing the orientation checklist/task form. |
| Jarrett, Brock |
Developing Inventory Audit Program for West Virginia WIC Vendors
The purpose of this project was to develop a program to conduct inventory audits of WV WIC Vendors. The State of West Virginia has very few metropolitan areas and most WIC vendors are of the small Mom and Pops type stores. While the majority of these small vendors are honest, these types of vendors are the most susceptible to fraudulent activities such as buying WIC vouchers for reduced amounts or allowing unacceptable substitutions (beer, cigarettes, gasoline, etc.). With limited resources for monitoring, detecting these types of fraudulent activities of vendors can be challenging. With an inventory audit program, suspicious vendors can be investigated and if guilty of any fraudulent activities be suspended as a WIC vendor. The ultimate goal of this project was to lower overall food costs and in turn serve more Women, Infants, and Children. |
| Jarvis, Terri |
Writing a Grant for a School Based Health Center Located at Clendenin Elementary in Clendenin, West Virginia
The purpose of this project is to develop a coordinated system of health care for children at Clendenin Elementary that increases access to primary and preventive health care, especially for students who are uninsured, who lack a medical home, or who are at risk for health problems. |
| Jones, Natasha |
Implementing Valued Enhanced Nutrition Assessment (VENA) in the West Virginia WIC Program
The purpose of this project was to introduce VENA (Value Enhanced Nutrition Assessment) with in the West Virginia WIC program. The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Supplemental Nutrition Program is a supplemental food and nutrition program for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women and children under age five who have a nutritional risk. WIC is the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children. WIC was established in 1972, as a pilot project following a national survey that found anemia and inadequate growth to be common among American children in low-income families. In 1974, WIC was established as a discretionary program, available throughout the United States. WIC is primarily funded through the United States Department of Agriculture. It is administered by the West Virginia Bureau for Public Health, Office of Nutrition Services. |
| Kennedy, Michael |
A New Level of Service: Implementing a Ryan White Treatment Modernization Act Part A Grant
The purpose of this project was to successfully guide the application for and implementation of a Ryan White Part A grant in the 6-county, 2-state (NC & SC) region centered on Charlotte-Mecklenburg. Working under a 60-day federal deadline, this required establishing collaborative working relationships with state and local governments, healthcare providers, AIDS service organizations and consumers in the setting of priorities and the disbursement of resources, all in an environment of change that many felt threatening. |
| Kettinger, Lynda |
‘8 in 8’ Campaign – S.C. HIV/AIDS Care Crisis Task Force Advocacy to Increase State Funds for HIV Treatment and Care in South Carolina
The purpose of this project is to coordinate and lead a newly created 'S.C. HIV/AIDS Care Crisis Task Force to advocate for $8 million new state funds in FY 08 for HIV treatment and care services. The Task Force formed in 2006 due to a significant shortage of funds for HIV treatment causing the state health department to form a wait list for life-saving medications. The Task Force includes over 50 members from across the state representing HIV medical providers, public health, community advocates, consumers, media and the pharmaceutical industry. An advocacy plan was designed in November 2006 in preparation of the S.C. legislative session beginning in January 2007. Advocacy methods included calls/meetings with legislators, multiple media stories, development of various Fact Sheets articulating the problem and need for increased funds, a Press Conference held at the State House, and a legislative breakfast. In May 2007, the legislature approved $4 million new funds in the FY08 budget for the HIV treatment services, significantly more than the previous amount of $500,000. |
| Lolas, Patty |
Administrative Management Manual
The purpose of this project was to develop an Administrative Management Manual for the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) for use by the upper level administrative staff in the central office and the regions throughout the state to: improve consistency and standardization of administrative programs and processes; share best practices; provide for business continuity and succession planning; and develop a set of metrics for management assessment. |
| Lowther-Berman, Rose |
Employee Performance Effectiveness Measurement
This project was designed to increase surveyor effectiveness through the restructuring of the evaluation process. This new process provided the surveyor and the program manager with empirical data to justify evaluation scores used under the Civil Service merit system. This project provided me with the incentive to develop a plan for change, and not just to rely on incidental decisions in response to specific issues. |
| McNeil, Jean and Bob Weedon |
Rabies Awareness and Community Education
The purpose of this project is to increase awareness of rabies disease and its prevention by fostering collaboration between local veterinarians and New Hanover County Animal Control Services (NHCACS), implementing responsible pet ownership training at the elementary school level, in partnership with the Pre-Veterinary Medical Association (PVMA) at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW), and educating the citizens of New Hanover County in cooperation with the New Hanover County Health Department (NHCHD), and the local media. The end result of this project will be increased public awareness to the threat of rabies virus exposure and means of preventing this fatal disease. The program template is intended to be duplicated by partner animal control agencies throughout the state and beyond. |
| Miller, Tim |
Exploration of Multi-County Regional Health Departments In West Virginia
This project takes a look at the feasibility of regionalizing the local health departments throughout the State of West Virginia. This is an attempt to explore the cost savings, as well as the benefits of having regional agencies rather than the current single county health departments. In doing so, I chose to use the Mid Ohio Valley Health Department, which has been operating in this fashion for 25 years, as a model. This model is the basis for many of the calculations needed to determine feasibility, as well as the model for staffing, and of course, size of the regions. |
| Molder, Deborah |
Who’s Counting Autism : 299.0
The purpose of my project was to collect numbers of autistic children by hospital discharge diagnosis codes. My goal was to have this diagnosis added to hospital discharge summaries, so that interested individuals could access and assess the increase of autism. |
| Rankin, Kay |
Piedmont Smiles: Extending Primary Dental Care Services to At-Risk Children through a Mobile Dental Van Supported by a Fixed Dental Facility
The purpose of this project is to obtain funding for a dental clinic located in Cumberland County, Virginia, that will provide care to indigent children. In order to obtain funding it was necessary to develop community partnerships, to obtain in-kind support for the project, and to submit a well conceived grant proposal with a viable sustainability plan. |
| Roane, Kim |
Improving Access to Environmental Health Systems for Staff and the Public
The purpose of this year-long project was to identify the user needs, oversee a cross-functional project team, prepare a project scope and develop an implementation strategy for an improved electronic work flow system for our Environmental Health Services Program. This new system is intended to streamline field access for staff and improve information availability for the public. |
| Simeonsson, Krissy |
Local Health Department Pandemic Influenza Plans: An Indicator of State Level Preparedness
The purpose of this project is to summarize findings from the NC DPH content review of the LHD pandemic influenza plans. This summary will highlight strengths and weaknesses of local plans and recommend ways in which the NC DPH can continue to assist LHDs with their pandemic influenza planning efforts. A list of these recommendations will be provided to the NC DPH’s Pandemic Influenza Work Group which can be used to enhance pandemic influenza planning at the local level. |
| Staats, Heidi |
Grassroots Marketing: Using the Power of Networking to Build WIC
The purpose of this project was to improve visibility, and expand referrals as well as service integration and coordination with the WV WIC Program and other programs serving the maternal and child population. Grassroots marketing strategies (i.e., in-service trainings, presentations and general face-to-face contact) were utilized to form partnerships which disperse the work of outreach and decrease the time and financial burden for all partners involved while also helping each program reach their goals. This initiative increased the integrity of the WV WIC Program, and guarded against misinformation contributing to our declining participation levels. |
| Stewart, Heather |
Documenting and Recording the Strategic Planning Process of Cabarrus Health Alliance, the Public Health Authority of Cabarrus County
The purpose of this project is to document and record the Strategic Planning process of Cabarrus Health Alliance, the Public Health Authority of Cabarrus County. This was the first strategic planning undertaking that included all levels of staff, management and board members. The end goal—a realistic and ambitious tool that would guide Cabarrus Health Alliance as it seeks to become the Model Public Health Department. |
| Sutton, Shae |
Collaboration for Analysis of New Birth Variables
The purpose of this project is to provide a method for states to appropriately analyze and publish new data items included on the 2003 revised Certificate of Live Birth. As a member of the National Association of Public Health Statistics and Information Systems (NAPHSIS), I worked to create a way for states to collaborate in creating merged state datasets and analysis plans for the variables added to the birth certificate. Results will be published nationally and presented at the Annual Meeting of the NAPHSIS. |
| Taylor, David |
Development of a Statewide Trauma System
The purpose of this project was to develop a statewide trauma system within the State of Arkansas. A trauma system helps to ensure appropriate local treatment for accident victims in a more timely and cost-effective manner, preventing avoidable disability and death. It was my intention to guide the Arkansas Governor’s Trauma Advisory Council and various State Officials in a direction that would help ensure the establishment of a functioning statewide trauma system. |
| Wagner, Alyce |
Emergency Communications: Building an effective Health Alert Network Unit
The purpose of this project is to develop a seamless system of redundant emergency communication and volunteer deployment. The project will assess inadequacies within the current Health Alert Network (HAN) unit and its new volunteer registry program then implement an operational plan for success. |
| Weedon, Bob and Jean McNeil |
Rabies Awareness and Community Education
The purpose of this project is to increase awareness of rabies disease and its prevention by fostering collaboration between local veterinarians and New Hanover County Animal Control Services (NHCACS), implementing responsible pet ownership training at the elementary school level, in partnership with the Pre-Veterinary Medical Association (PVMA) at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW), and educating the citizens of New Hanover County in cooperation with the New Hanover County Health Department (NHCHD), and the local media. |
| Williams, Jennifer and Debbie Hoy |
Orientation of Communicable and Environment Disease Staff in Tennessee
The purpose of this project was to create an orientation checklist/task form for new employees in the Communicable Disease Sections (CDC) of Health Departments in the State of Tennessee. The checklist included skills that new employees must have to successfully perform in each program of the Communicable Disease Section. Jennifer Williams and Debbie Hoy worked with the Metro and Rural Regions in Tennessee in designing the orientation checklist/task form. |
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3/6/08
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