Cudahy Board of Health names Dr. David Sherman chair, hears updates on reproductive services and accreditation

The Cudahy Board of Health on May 18 appointed Dr. David Sherman as its chairperson for a one-year term and received a series of departmental updates, including the start of confidential reproductive health services and acceptance of the department's public health accreditation application.

Patricia Borkowski moved that Dr. David Sherman serve as chair, and Alderman Mike Johnson seconded the motion; the board approved the appointment unanimously. Earlier in the meeting the board approved the minutes from the March 22, 2016 meeting on a motion from Dr. Sherman, seconded by Alderman Mike Johnson.

Health Officer Katie Lepak told the board the Cudahy Health Department is providing confidential, free and low-cost reproductive health services and that clients have already begun using the program. Lepak said staff discussed ways to promote the program and that department personnel will carry forward suggested outreach strategies.

Lepak also reported that the department's accreditation application was submitted and accepted and that staff attended in-person accreditation training. The agency has one year to prepare and upload required documentation, with a stated goal of completing uploads by March 1, 2017.

On public-health data, Lepak presented year-to-date communicable disease figures and said expanding reproductive health services is intended to lower the burden of sexually transmitted infections over time. She summarized budget status as "in good standing" and said staff are pursuing additional funding through grant applications; the board will receive updates on application outcomes at a future meeting.

The department reported that since implementing its electronic health record (EHR) system it has recorded 465 client encounters. Lepak said participation in the oral health program remains strong, the department is participating in regional and state oral health initiatives, and local collaboration task forces (recorded in the minutes as "Healthies Cudahy Collaboration Task Forces") are making progress. She noted the "It's Your Health! Lunch n Learn" series at the Kelly Senior Center was well attended, a flu vaccine survey was completed for later analysis, and prenatal care coordination data were reviewed.

Crystal Silkwood moved, and Alderman Mike Johnson seconded, to accept the Health Officer's report; the motion carried. The board set its regular meetings for the fourth Tuesday of each month at 5:45 p.m., listing June 28, September 27 and November 22, 2016 as upcoming dates. Crystal Silkwood moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:40 p.m.; Patti Borkowski seconded and all voted in favor.

The Board of Health will next meet on June 28, 2016 at 5:45 p.m.