HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-28-08 BOHBOARD OF HEALTH PROCEEDINGS
October 28, 2008
Attendance: Mason County Board Members: Lynda Ring-Erickson; Ross Gallagher; Tim Sheldon
Ex-Officio Board Members: Scott Hilburn, Hospital District #1; Peggy VanBuskirk, Hospital
District #2; Frank Philips, Fire Commissioner; Tim LeClair, Skokomish Tribe - absent
1. Commissioner Ross Gallagher called the meeting to order at 3:34 p.m.
2. Cmmr. Sheldon/Ring Erickson moved and seconded to adopt the agenda as published. Motion
carried unanimously. RE-aye; G-aye; S-aye.
3. Correspondence – None.
4. There were no minutes to adopt.
5. 2007 Healthy Kids Campaign Grand Prize Winner – Vicki Kirkpatrick, Director, introduced Trish Woolett
and her daughter Kenedee, who won the 2007 Healthy Kids Campaign grand prize, a trip to Disneyland.
Ms. Woolett read a thank you letter that she wrote to the Health Department.
6. Recognition – Fir Tree Apartments no smoking policy – Ben Johnson, Program Coordinator, introduced
Mr. Neher and Mr. Coventry who helped implement the no smoking policy. Mr. Neher, who is the new
manager of the apartments, explained that as of the first of November no smoking is allowed in the
stairwells or balconies of the apartments. On the first of the year there will be no smoking in the
apartments. Mr. Neher will be responsible for enforcing the new policy.
Cmmr. Gallagher asked if any other apartment complexes in Mason County are smoke-free.
Ben Johnson stated that the Fir Tree Apartments are the only smoke-free apartments that he knows of.
7. Drug Take Back Program – Vicki Kirkpatrick introduced Sally Burtscher. Ms. Burtscher explained that
after her sister in-law passed away she had to figure out what to do with all of her prescription drugs. She
found out that Group Health has a drop box in Olympia for unwanted medication. Ms. Burtscher then
began a drug take back drive and collected 30 lbs. of unwanted drugs from the community to dispose of in
the drop box. She is hoping new legislation will pass a bill making pharmaceutical companies responsible
for the secure return of unwanted prescription drugs. She is seeking help from a lead agency that can push
forward with this cause.
Cmmr. Sheldon asked if the drugs could be taken to a medical waste facility.
Mr. Hilburn explained that a pharmacist would need to identify the drugs before they can be disposed of
and it is a large responsibility that would require financial assistance.
Ms. Kirkpatrick stated she would like to see the pharmaceutical companies take responsibility for a drug
take back program. In the meantime perhaps local hospital districts could sponsor a yearly take back
program.
There was further discussion about ideas for a local take back program.
8. Administrative Issues
8.1 Health Officer’s Report – The Health Officer was absent.
8.2 Director’s Report – Vicki Kirkpatrick gave a strategic planning update. The first draft of the plan
should be completed for the January 2009 Board of Health meeting.
BOARD OF HEALTH PROCEEDINGS
October 28, 2008 - PAGE 2
9. Community and Family Health Issues – Lydia Buchheit, Community and Family Health Manager, noted
that the Health Department has completed ten community flu vaccine clinics and have used about half of
their vaccine.
10. Environmental Health Issues
10.1 Mason County Environmental Health Waivers – Debbie Riley, Environmental Health Manager,
presented the Board with the current Environmental Health Waivers.
11. Public Comment – Ben Johnson invited community leaders to do a cigarette butt pick up at the skate park
in November. The goal is to promote the Great American Smokeout.
Cmmr. Ring Erickson congratulated the Health Department on the success of the Oakland Bay Open House
and the A.I.D.S. Walk.
12. Adjourn - The meeting adjourned at 4:50 p.m.
HEALTH OFFICER
_______________________________
Diana T. Yu, MD MSPH
Mason County Health Officer
BOARD OF HEALTH
MASON COUNTY, WASHINGTON
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Ross Gallagher, Chair
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Tim Sheldon, Commissioner
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Lynda Ring Erickson, Commissioner