Wakulla Health Care Task Force
Minutes
October 23, 2007 

Members Present: Lynn Artz, Howard Kessler, Mary Lescher, Cathy Price, Brian Richardson, and Kim Rittman. 

I.          Welcome & Introductions

II.          Approval of Agenda

III.         Approval of Minutes 

IV.        Congressman Boyd's District Healthcare Council:  Commissioner Kessler will contact Boyd's office to make sure he is on the mailing list for the Council.  No information has been received in regards to visit to the county or upcoming meetings. 
V.         Big Bend Health Council: Marlon plans to forward minutes and meeting dates to Lynn to keep Task Force informed. 

VI.        County-wide Smoking Cessation Intervention: Lynn proposed that the Task Force implement a community wide smoking cessation event in conjunction with the Valentines Parade in February. "Quit and Win" is a program encouraging smokers to stop smoking on a specified date and have a chance to win monetary rewards. Research has shown that this type of program appeals to blue collar males and the quit rates are 15-20% for one year. The Task Force can have a booth at the Valentine Festival. The booth and quit date will be publicized in January and first of February.   Survivor kits will be given to participants. The Task Force will need assistance in printing brochures to publicize the event. We will also need to address local pharmacies to see if they can offer coupons for smoking cessation aides.  In addition a volunteer is needed to seek donations to be used as rewards. Discussed possibility of approaching Chamber of Commerce to get Businesses involved to encourage smoke free employees. A sub-committee will be formed to work on this task. Any interest in assisting, please contact Lynn Artz.  Cathy will check with Health Department regarding hiring of Health Educator and possible smoking cessation funds to assist with publicity.

VII.       Offer from Wakulla Health Institute: F/U to see if any area providers contacted Carol Easley to schedule training.  Encouraged providers to utilize this resource. Phone # 850-201-8481.

VIII.       Volunteer Clinic: Dr. Rittman expressed interest in having a volunteer clinic once a month at the Sopchoppy Medical Office. Volunteer nurses would be appreciated. Also, interested in the possibility of Sovereign Immunity through DOH.  Lat Penland was recommended as a contact person for more information.

IX.        Visitor Brochure: Reviewed the latest edition of the brochure.  Made comments and suggestions regarding graphics and information. Interested in having the final draft printed for circulation. Recommendation was made to contact the listed providers for funding due to advertising their services. The Task Force needs a volunteer to seek funding for printing. Anyone interested can contact Lynn Artz.

X.         Wakulla.com: Health and Fitness section on this website allows opportunity to disseminate health education and/or services. For example, Flu Clinic, Health Observance Months, Childbirth Classes, etc. Providers are encouraged to utilize this resource.

XI.        Provider Updates:

            TMH Respiratory Services: Mary Lescher, Director of Respiratory, updated the Task Force on services provided by Respiratory Department i.e. community outreach, asthma & COPD education, education in schools to children with asthma, smoking cessation, and participation in Health Fairs.

            Capital Regional Health Care in Crawfordville:  Office is up and running. Still looking for ARNP or PA to assist with the caseload.

XIII.       Meeting Adjourned: Next meeting is November 27th at 6p.m. at TCC in Crawfordville. Future Meeting Dates are: January 22^nd, February 26^th, March 25^th, and April 22^nd.

           
These minutes originally published on November 13, 2007.

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