WILLIAMSON – The Mingo County Board of Health received good news at its July meeting with notification there were no findings or internal control recommendations in connection with its audit for fiscal year 2008.

Certified Public Accountant Lisa K. Thornburg of Milton, W.Va., advised local Board Chairman Gregory K. Smith by letter of the completion of the report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008.

She expressed appreciation “for the outstanding abilities” of Health Department Administrator Cathy Headen and Tina Lockard, of the Mingo County Commission’s Finance Department, for their response promptly and accurately to the CPA’s request for information.

“This assistance and knowledge greatly improved the timeframe for completion of the audit,” Thornburg advised Smith.

The local Health Board also expressed appreciation for the fact that Headen’s Fiscal Year 2010 Program Plan for the Mingo County Health Department had been approved.

Chris Curtis, MPH, acting commissioner for the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Bureau for Public Health, thanked Headen for her Plan and for diligent work in providing quality public health services for every citizen of West Viginia.

Headen’s Program Plan has been placed in a central database which will enable the Division of Local Health to provide current data to public health leaders for future policy development related to public health in this state.

The Board of Health held a regular meeting Thursday with a quorum provided by Smith and board members Ray Curry and Albert Totten. Also present in addition to Headen was Dr. Manolo Tampoya, county health officer.

During the meeting, a reporter’s question about the swine flu situation in Mingo County brought forth the information that no new cases have been reported for this county. The one “mild” case recently recorded apparently has recovered.

,Board members received a copy of a letter received by Bernice Johnson, RNC, from Glora A. Crouch, BS, Quality Assurance Specialist for the state DHHR, advising that Ms. Johnson will be receiving a Silver Certificate of Excellence at the West Virginia Public Health Conference this year.

“Your participation in the VFC program and your efforts in providing quality immunization practices for your patients are greatly appreciated,” Johnson was advised.

Crouch had visited the local health department June 25 to conduct the annual Vaccine for Children Program site visit and evaluate the adherence to the Standards for Pediatric Immunization Practices; to directly observe refrigerator/freezer for proper storage and handling of vaccines, and to review VFC procedures and requirements with Johnson’s staff. She discussed the importance of reviewing immunization records when calling children back to the local facility.

Tina Lockard gave a financial update, showing the health department’s revenue for the year to date was $390,795.96, and expenditures for the same period totaled $368,784.34. She reported a balance to date, after payment of bills, to be $111,357.52.

The board approved minutes of the Board of Health”s June 18 meeting, and also approved Office Assistant Amanda Davis’ proposed work hours for the fall semester during which she will be returning to nursing school. She requested to remain a part-time employee while attending school.

In another matter, the board agreed to pay whatever the state retirement board reports is owed to Sandra Chapman since her retirement, and what is in accorance with the amount she paid into retirement. Smith said the board wants her to get full credit for what is due her.

Smith was authorized by a board vote to sign a provider agreement between the West Virginia Division of Surveillance and Disease Control, HIV/AIDS/STD Program and the Mingo County Health Department regarding the Adult Viral Hepatitis B Immunization Initiative Project.

Contacts for the program include Dr. Tampoya, Administrator Headen and Bernice Johnson, RNC. Various conditions are outlined in the agreement.

The Board of Health also approved and signed a Memorandum of Agreement between the Mingo County Health Department and Williamson Memorial Hospital. The hospital will provide proper storage for vaccines as needed in the event of power outages and/or other emergencies, and the county health department will provide a contact list of those authorized to request resources and update as needed. The names of Headen and Johnson are listed.

Other reports were on the Safety Committee meeting, general business, annual/sick leave approvals and accounts payable, Family Planning/BCCSP and Threat Preparedness