Health Commission reviews annual compliance training and will adjourn in memory of Dr. Philip Lee

Maggie Rykowski, Chief Integrity Officer and director of the Office of Compliance and Privacy Affairs, presented the Health Commission with an overview of the department’s annual compliance training and program elements. Rykowski reviewed the seven elements recommended by oversight guidance, described internal and external auditing practices, the confidential hotline and reporting channels, the code of conduct and enforcement processes for substantiated violations.

"We really work hard to build and maintain a culture of compliance," Rykowski said, emphasizing staff training, annual risk assessments and corrective-action processes. She noted the department distributes a quarterly compliance newsletter and provides refresher and on-site training as issues arise.

Commissioners asked how compliance reporting ties into city requirements and whether annual compliance activity could be packaged with outcome data (reports received, audit results, corrective actions) for the commission to review; Rykowski said an annual report had been provided previously and offered to supply additional mechanisms if commissioners wanted more frequent information.

In other business, Commissioner Chao asked the commission to adjourn in memory of Dr. Philip Lee, the Health Commission’s first president; the commission agreed and a roll-call vote approved the adjournment in his honor. The body then voted to move into closed session and later to withhold disclosure of closed-session deliberations.