September 2005 News

September 2005 News

Influenza Vaccine Beginning To Arrive In Michigan - September 28th

Granholm Awards $11.3 Million In Grants To Support Anti-Drug Efforts - September 28th

Granholm Awards $3.02 Million In Discretionary Grants To Support Anti-Drug Efforts - September 28th

MDCH And MIOSHA Announce New Report On Occupational Health Indicators - September 27th

MDCH Debuts State Oral Health Action Plan - September 26th

Bloomfield Hills Physician's License Suspended - September 23rd

Michigan Surgeon General Debuts Healthy Schools Program - September 21st

Michigan Assisting Louisiana-Born Hurricane Katrina Evacuees In Obtaining Birth Certificates - September 20th

Michigan Celebrates September As National 5 A Day Month - September 14th

MDCH Begins Health Care Listening Tour - September 14th

MDCH Recognizes September As National Cholesterol Awareness Month - September 13th

Livonia Physician Loses License - September 13th

Michigan Hurricane Relief Hotline To Close Today - September 13th

Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage Education Available To Michigan Medicare Beneficiaries - September 12th

Michigan Surgeon General Debuts State Suicide Prevention Plan - September 12th

MDCH Urges Health Care Professionals Statewide To Coordinate Efforts, Not Self Deploy - September 9th

MDCH Releases Findings Of Tittabawassee River Fish Consumption Health Consultation - September 8th

Volunteers Preparing To Head To Gulf Coast Need To Ensure That Immunizations Are Updated - September 2nd

Farmington Hills Nurse Has License Summarily Suspended - September 2nd

Detroit Osteopathic Has License Summarily Suspended - September 1st

Influenza Vaccine Beginning To Arrive In Michigan

State officials believe influenza vaccine supplies in Michigan will be enough to meet demand this year, but are asking at-risk individuals and health care workers to step forward for their flu shot first.

“We are cautiously optimistic that we will have enough supply of influenza vaccine to meet demand this season in Michigan and across the Unites States,” said Janet Olszewski, Director of the Michigan Department of Community Health. “The best defense against influenza is receiving a flu shot or the Flumist, and we strongly encourage citizens to receive a flu vaccine this season.”

Much of Olszewski’s optimism is based on the Chiron Corporation, a major supplier of influenza vaccine for the United States, shipping supplies to the United States before flu season is likely to begin. Currently, the United States Food and Drug Administration is conducting final inspections on vaccine supply that is ready to ship to America, she said. In 2004, Chiron was unable to supply any vaccine in the U.S. because of production problems.

“Even if the U.S. does not receive vaccine from Chiron, we expect to still have more vaccine on hand than we did last year, because of manufacturers in this country creating more supply,” she said.

From now until October 24, health departments and private health practitioners around the country have been asked by the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention to only inoculate at-risk populations against influenza, including:

·People 65 or older

·Residents of long-term care facilities and nursing homes

·People ages 2 to 64 with chronic health problems

·Pregnant women

·Children ages 6 to 23 months

·Health care personnel who provide direct patient care

·Caregivers and household contacts of children younger than 6 months

Dr. Dean Sienko, acting state Chief Medical Executive, said the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) – over the next several weeks – will make a strong push for health care personnel who provide direct patient care to receive vaccine this season.

In the coming weeks, MDCH will work with health care organizations around the state that represent doctors, nurses, hospitals, and other primary care workers, to vaccinate their members.

“Each year, we know – despite significant encouragement – that only 40 percent of health care personnel tasked with providing direct patient care receive a flu shot,” Sienko said. “It is in the best interest of health care workers and the patients they care for to dramatically increase this percentage this season.”

MDCH also continues to work with its Flu Advisory Board – a group representing dozens of health care advocacy groups that was created in the wake of national flu vaccine shortages last year – on communication and preventative education efforts.

Sienko said health departments should not turn other populations away if they insist upon receiving the vaccine.

“We are asking that healthy people wait until October 24 to receive their dose of vaccine, but that does not mean practitioners should turn people away that insist upon receiving it,” Sienko said. “Our top priority should be to ensure that all doses of vaccine in Michigan are used – the last thing we want is to see flu vaccine sitting on shelves this season.”

Although receiving a flu shot is the best way to avoid contracting the disease, Sienko said there are other things Michigan citizens can do to limit their exposure to the illness, such as:

·Wash hands frequently to avoid exposure to influenza;

·Stay home from work or school if you are ill;

·Get plenty of rest and eat a balanced diet to keep your immune system strong;

·Avoid close contact with people who are sick;

·Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, and

·Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

Historically, 36,000 people – most of them elderly – die from complications from influenza and more than 200,000 are hospitalized with influenza-like illness each year.

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Granholm Awards $11.3 Million In Grants To Support Anti-Drug Efforts

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm has awarded more than $11.3 million in grants for criminal justice initiatives in Michigan with funding from the federal Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne JAG) Program. State and local governmental entities will receive this competitive funding for a one-year period beginning October 1, 2005.

The listing of grant awards, by region

"These grants help to ensure that communities across Michigan continue to run programs that combat drug abuse and violence," Granholm said. "With these competitive grants, many agencies are able to treat addiction, run drug courts, counsel juveniles, and build stronger communities."

Grants fund programs statewide, such as:

Community Policing
Juvenile Intervention
Family and Domestic Violence Strategies
Local Correctional Resources
Multijurisdictional Drug Task Forces
Drug Treatment Courts
Criminal Justice Records Improvement

The Byrne JAG Program allows states and local governments to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime and to improve the criminal justice system. In Michigan, the program is administered by the Office of Drug Control Policy, located within the Michigan Department of Community Health.

In addition, $1.8 million of Byrne JAG funding was transferred to the State Court Administrative Office for the purpose of funding 11 priority population drug courts throughout the state. Priority population drug courts serve those offenders who are high risk and/or likely to be prison bound based upon their sentencing guideline scores and local sentencing practices.

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Granholm Awards $3.02 Million In Discretionary Grants To Support Anti-Drug Efforts

Governor Jennifer Granholm has awarded $3,026,073 in Governor's Discretionary Grant Funds to forty-five agencies in Michigan for one-year contracts, beginning October 1.

“These grants will fund worthwhile programs to protect our children from the dangers of drug abuse,” Granholm said. “We are so pleased that our communities have continued to work tirelessly to foster safe and drug-free environments for children.”

The purpose of the federal Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act grant program is to solicit proposals from communities for research-based programs and activities that:

· Prevent youth drug use and violence

· Involve parents and communities

· Coordinate with related state, school and community efforts and resources to foster a safe and drug-free learning environment that promotes student academic achievement

Eligible applicants for the competitive grants are nonprofit community organizations, parent groups, anti-drug coalitions, juvenile and probate courts, local educational agencies, faith-based organizations and other public and private nonprofit entities with a 501c3 status targeting youth not normally served by local educational agencies and community organizations.

Governor’s Discretionary Grant awards include:

·53rd Circuit Court, Cheboygan ($100,000)

·Berrien County Health Department, Benton Harbor ($100,000)

·Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Flint ($70,000)

·Boys & Girls Club, Alpena ($85,000)

·Boys & Girls Club, Benton Harbor ($170,000)

·Boys & Girls Club, Kalamazoo ($62,232)

·County of Branch, Coldwater ($30,000)

·Catholic Social Services of Oakland County, Pontiac ($80,000)

·Catholic Social Services of Wayne County, Detroit ($80,000)

·Catholic Social Services of Muskegon ($49,500)

·Center for Occupational & Personalized Education, Ann Arbor ($72,000)

·Chaldean-American Ladies of Charity, Southfield ($110,000)

·Child & Family Resource Council, Grand Rapids ($40,000)

·City of Wayne ($50,000)

·Cristo Rey Community Center, Lansing ($100,000)

·Delta Menominee District Health Department, Escanaba ($33,230)

·Detroit Urban League, Inc., Detroit ($80,000)

·Development Centers, Inc., Detroit ($49,735)

·Dial Help, Inc., Houghton ($70,000)

·Downriver Guidance Clinic-The Guidance Center, Southgate ($35,000)

·Every Womens Place, Muskegon ($95,000)

·Family and Children’s Services of Midland ($45,000)

·Family Services and Children’s Aid, Jackson ($85,000)

·First Ward Community Services, Saginaw ($86,231)

·Fremont Area Community Foundation, Fremont ($40,000)

·Gateway Community Services, East Lansing ($40,000)

·Manistee-Benzie Community Mental Health, Manistee ($23,360)

·Child and Family Services of the Upper Peninsula, Marquette ($88,500)

·MI Assoc. for Deaf, Hearing & Speech Services, Lansing ($80,000)

·Mt. Zion, Clarkston ($50,000)

·Muskegon County PRIDE, Muskegon ($90,000)

·Oakwood Health Care Inc., Taylor Teen, Dearborn ($35,000)

·Omankane: The Collective, Detroit ($60,000)

·Our Image Inc/New Alternatives Youth Center, Saginaw ($30,000)

·Rochester/Auburn Hills Community Coalition, Rochester ($8,650)

·Saginaw County Department of Public Health ($81,642)

·Save Our Neighborhood and Streets, Port Huron ($80,000)

·County of St. Clair Sheriff’s Office, Port Huron ($31,000)

·Substance Abuse Council of Greater Battle Creek ($69,993)

·Taylor School District ($60,000)

·Temple United Methodist Church, Muskegon Heights ($95,000)

·Van Buren/Cass District Health Dept., Hartford ($30,000)

·Volunteers In Prevention, Probation & Prisons, Inc., Detroit ($70,000)

·West Midland Family Center, Shepherd ($85,000)

·Winning Inc. of America, Benton Harbor ($100,000)

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MDCH And MIOSHA Announce New Report On Occupational Health Indicators

The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) and the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) today announced the release of a new report by the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) on the tracking of work-related injuries and illnesses.

While there has been tremendous progress in reducing workplace hazards, workplace injuries and illnesses are still a problem in Michigan. Unlike other public health problems, those in the workplace, by definition, are preventable. When the effect of an exposure or hazard can be measured, it is often possible and feasible to construct useful preventative measures.

"Not only will strong information gathering protect our workers and the public, but lessons learned by tracking these indicators over time will help businesses save money and stay competitive," said MDCH Director Janet Olszewski.

This report has detailed information about 19 occupational health indicators in 13 states, including Michigan. Indicators such as fatalities, injuries and illnesses, musculoskeletal disorders, amputations, elevated blood lead levels, and lung diseases provide a snapshot of the health of workers that can be used to design prevention strategies.

MDCH collaborated with the CSTE in the development of the report. MIOSHA will use the report to help plan outreach and compliance activities. The MIOSHA program is part of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth (DLEG).

“Our MIOSHA program is dedicated to protecting the safety and health of Michigan’s working men and women,” said DLEG Director David C. Hollister. “This information provides us with a valuable tool to help employers fulfill their responsibility to provide a safe and healthy work environment.”

Michigan will continue to collect and publish the data under a new, five-year grant from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). NIOSH is the federal agency responsible for occupational safety and health research.

“Prevention is the crucial key to protecting workers,” said MIOSHA Director Doug Kalinowski. “This report includes important new data to help us target our resources where they’re needed most–with the goal of a continued decline in workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities.”

MDCH is collaborating with Michigan State University on this project. MSU Professor Dr. Ken Rosenman serves as Principal Investigator for this grant. "Work-related injuries and illnesses cost $1.5 billion annually in workers compensation claims in Michigan,” said Rosenman. “On-going and systematic compilation of occupational injury and illness information, including these 19 health indicators, is fundamental in reducing the human suffering from work-related injuries and illnesses."

A copy of the report, titled "Putting Data to Work: Occupational Health Indicators from Thirteen Pilot States for 2000," is available on the web at www.cste.org. For more information, contact Martha Stanbury, MDCH Division of Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology, at (517) 335-8350.

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MDCH Debuts State Oral Health Action Plan

Michigan Department of Community Health Director Janet Olszewski today announced approval of the state’s first oral health plan, which will mean better dental health for thousands of Michigan citizens in the future.

“Michigan is one of the first states in the country to recognize the connection between oral health and overall health in the form of an action plan. It is more apparent than ever that oral health is an integral part of primary health care,” Olszewski said.

Child advocates, medical and dental providers, dental schools, organized dentistry and leading health care agencies have worked in partnership with MDCH to develop a plan to improve the oral health of Michigan’s citizens. The coalition represents a broad group of stakeholders who are committed to improving oral health in Michigan, she said.

The state’s Oral Health Plan recommends that Michigan:

o Develop a statewide oral health surveillance system to provide sources for health data

o Increase access to oral health services in medically underserved communities

o Develop a state level dental director leadership position to serve as the focal point of oral health activity in Michigan

o Create and maintain a process for responding to the demand for oral health professionals

o Develop a system of care that ensures access to oral health services for low-income and uninsured populations

o Encourage health care providers to discuss the oral effects of tobacco use with patients

o Develop a statewide education program aimed at increasing knowledge of the relationship between oral health and overall health

“We have a proven track record of success here in Michigan – our Healthy Kids Dental program has been adopted by the American Dental Association and American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry as a model program for other states to follow,” said Dr. Daniel M. Briskie, Dentist and Chairman of the Michigan Oral Health Coalition. “The Michigan Oral Health Coalition will continue to work together in partnership with MDCH to implement the plan.”

Briskie said poor oral health contributes to problems such as low birth weight and premature babies, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Poor oral health also negatively impacts a child’s quality of life, including their self-esteem, and impedes their ability to obtain adequate nutrition, he said.

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Bloomfield Hills Physician's License Suspended

The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) has summarily suspended the osteopathic medicine and surgery license of Alphonse A. Yezbick, D.O. The MDCH Bureau of Health Professions orders a summary suspension when it believes that the public’s health, safety, and welfare warrant emergency action.

On May 4, 2005, Yezbick was arrested by law enforcement and charged with Practicing Medicine Without a License, a felony. Yezbick is currently awaiting trial. Yezbick’s practice of osteopathic medicine and surgery was contrary to the professional limitations that were placed on his license pursuant to an Order of the Michigan Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery.

On September 12, 2005, MDCH issued an order immediately suspending Yezbick’s osteopathic medicine and surgery license. An administrative hearing will be scheduled to address the status of Yezbick’s license.

For more information on disciplinary actions taken by the health professional licensing boards within MDCH, please go to http://www.michigan.gov/mdch, and click on Health Systems and Licensing.

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Michigan Surgeon General Debuts Healthy Schools Program

Dr. Kimberlydawn Wisdom, Michigan Surgeon General, announced a new program today encouraging Michigan schools to promote physical activity, healthy eating, and a tobacco-free lifestyle to students and staff.

The Healthy Schools initiative, a new component of the Michigan Steps Up statewide healthy lifestyles campaign, aims to engage 30 state-level school and community organizations and at least 400 schools to create a healthy school environment by establishing Coordinated School Health Teams, completing the Healthy School Action Tool and joining the Michigan Team Nutrition and Michigan Action For Healthy Kids associations by 2006. Free resources for schools are now available at www.michiganstepsup.org.

“Michigan needs school environments that support efforts to help students achieve their full academic potential,” Wisdom said. “A healthy school environment gives students clear and consistent messages, accurate health information, and ample opportunity for application.”

The Healthy Schools initiative is the result of a two-year collaboration among representatives from the Michigan Department of Community Health, Michigan Department of Education; the Michigan Parent Teacher Student Association; Comprehensive School Health Coordinators Association; United Dairy Industry of Michigan; Michigan State University Extension; Michigan Action for Health Kids Coalition; Team Nutrition; and others.

“In many Michigan schools, students learn about the importance of physical activity and healthy eating in the classroom, and school professionals must continue to create an environment that is more supportive of those health goals,” said Michigan Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan. "This program will make sure our kids get the proper health and nutrition messages that will ultimately lead to a healthier, more active life."

Wisdom also announced the Michigan Surgeon General’s Healthy School Environment Recognition Program to celebrate schools that are taking exemplary steps to improve the health of students and staff. Schools are encouraged to complete an online application by January 20, 2006. For more information, please visit the Healthy Schools section at www.michiganstepsup.org.

According to 2001 Michigan Youth Risk Behavior Survey results, only 44 percent of male adolescents and 27 percent of female adolescents meet the minimum average daily goal of at least five servings of fruits and vegetables. One third of students do not receive the recommended amount of both moderate and vigorous physical activity during the week.

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Michigan Assisting Louisiana-Born Hurricane Katrina Evacuees In Obtaining Birth Certificates

The Michigan Department of Community Health’s Vital Records Office – along with 109 local vital records offices throughout the state – are working through a national association to assist Hurricane Katrina evacuees locate missing birth certificates in Louisiana, free of charge.

“We are working diligently through national channels to ensure that Hurricane Katrina evacuees receive their birth certificates as soon as possible,” said Janet Olszewski, MDCH Director. “A valid birth certificate is needed by many evacuees to enroll in school, get new forms of identification, and receive much needed benefits during this challenging time. We will help coordinate this process so evacuees can return to a normal semblance of life as soon as possible.”

The National Association for Public Health Statistics and Information Systems (NAPHSIS) has been in contact with Vital Records Staff in Louisiana and has worked out procedures that states may follow to assist those evacuees in their state who were born in Louisiana. MDCH’s Vital Records Office is coordinating this effort in Michigan, Olszewski said.

Evacuees who are currently in Michigan – and who were born in Louisiana – may go in-person to the MDCH Vital Records Office in Lansing, 3423 N. Martin Luther King Blvd, or to any one of the 109 local vital records offices located throughout the state of Michigan, and submit an application for a birth record. No mail-in orders can be accepted.

MDCH’s Vital Records Office will collect applications and submit them to the Louisiana Vital Records Office. There is no fee being charged to evacuees for this service.

There is one local vital records office in each county in Michigan, along with 26 city or township offices. To determine the closest vital records office, please check your local phone directory for the county or city clerk’s office. They will be able to provide you with directions to their office.

Questions on how evacuees in Michigan can obtain Louisiana birth certificates can be directed to Richard Wheat, Manager of the MDCH Vital Records & Health Data Services Section, at 517-335-9748.

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Michigan Celebrates September As National 5 A Day Month

As Americans continue to face startling health risks associated with poor diet and physical inactivity, Michigan recognizes September as National 5 A Day Month, embracing the theme “Energize and Mobilize – Eat Fruits, Vegetables, and Be Active.”

This initiative is meant to empower the state’s residents – both individually and collectively – to take charge of their health, said Dr. Kimberlydawn Wisdom, Michigan Surgeon General.

“We are mobilizing Michigan residents to take charge of their health and fight for environmental changes in the community,” Wisdom said. “If we are going to curb the obesity epidemic, we need to get energized, make better choices, and let our civic leaders and policymakers know that we want change. We want healthy foods – like fruits and vegetables – to be more accessible, and we want a safe environment to enjoy physical activity.”

Farmer’s markets and mini-markets featuring locally-grown fresh produce are popping up all over the state. Visit www.michigan.gov/mda or call 1-866-211.5973 for a location near you. In addition, many local communities are building vegetable gardens and working with local stores and restaurants to feature greater selections of fruits and vegetables.

Numerous diseases and conditions have been linked to poor diet and physical inactivity including cardiovascular disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers. By adopting a healthy lifestyle, the risk of suffering from these diseases may be reduced.

In 2002, less than 25 percent of Michigan adults and less than 20 percent of Michigan children ate the daily required amounts of fruits and vegetables every day. “Parents are great role models for getting kids to eat more fruits and vegetables – if children see the adults in their lives making half their plates fruits and vegetables, the kids will be more likely to follow suit,” said Diane Golzynski, Michigan 5 A Day Coordinator. “In addition, if every Michigan family spent just $10 each week on Michigan-grown produce, we would put over $37 million back into Michigan’s economy each week.”

National 5 A Day Month is the perfect time of year for the whole family to learn more about the importance of eating fruits and vegetables, and increasing physical activity. For more information, please visit http://www.michiganstepsup.org/, or the National Cancer Institute’s 5 A Day Web site at http://www.5aday.gov/.

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MDCH Begins Health Care Listening Tour

The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) will hold two public forums next week to further its efforts on addressing health care coverage for uninsured Michigan residents.

“The Health Care Listening Tour represents a tremendous opportunity for Michigan citizens to share their concerns about the impact that the lack of health insurance is having on themselves and their communities,” said Janet Olszewski, Director of the Michigan Department of Community Health. “We want to communicate with local residents directly to learn more about the true impact the lack of health insurance has on individuals, families, and communities.”

Next week, MDCH will hold two public forums, including:

Tuesday, September 20: Flint

Riverfront Character Inn, 1 Riverfront Center

Flint, Michigan 48502

Thursday, September 22: Gaylord

University Center, 80 Livingston Boulevard

Gaylord, Michigan 49735

Both forums will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend both forums. If you require special accommodations, please contact MDCH at (517) 241-2966.

Other public forums will be announced at a future date. Local organizations in several additional cities will also be hosting town hall meetings on behalf of MDCH later this year. A schedule of those events also will be forthcoming.

The Michigan State Planning Project for the Uninsured – operating since January 2005 under a federal grant – has already involved key stakeholders, policymakers, and professionals who work with the uninsured.

The project intends to broaden and strengthen the current knowledge base regarding uninsured citizens by utilizing extensive research methods, including household surveys, Michigan employer surveys, focus groups, interviews with policymakers, and town hall meetings. The project is scheduled to be completed in 2006.

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MDCH Recognizes September As National Cholesterol Awareness Month

The Michigan Department of Community Health is reminding all Michigan citizens to “know your numbers” and family health history as the state recognizes September as National Cholesterol Awareness Month.

“Anyone with a family history of high cholesterol, stroke or heart disease, especially in men younger than 55 or women under age 65, should seek medical advice from a healthcare provider,” said Dr. Kimberlydawn Wisdom, Michigan Surgeon General. “It is extremely important to know your numbers by having blood drawn for cholesterol screening.”

High cholesterol is a risk factor for many chronic diseases – most importantly – coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD is one of the most prevalent and preventable forms of heart disease, and is the leading cause of death in Michigan.

Cholesterol is needed for the body to process hormones and vitamins, but excessive amounts in the blood stream can stick to artery walls, which can eventually lead to a heart attack or stroke.

High cholesterol does not show any symptoms so people often do not know they have it. However, it does tend to run in families, so it is also important for everyone to know their own family’s health history.

The American Heart Association recommends all adults 20 years and older have a fasting liproprotein profile (including total cholesterol, LDL, and HDL) at least every five years. Ideally, LDL level should be 100mg/dL or less and HDL level should be above 40mg/dL to help lower the risk of heart disease.

For more information on cholesterol, visit www.AmericanHeart.org.

Wisdom said a person can lower his or her risk for CAD and other chronic diseases by increasing daily physical activity levels, choosing a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and reducing tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke.

“I encourage Michigan residents of all ages to visit the Michigan Steps Up website at www.michiganstepsup.org for free resources, including personal planning tips to set and track goals, free healthy recipes and snack ideas, ideas for making healthy choices when eating out, daily health tips, and links to hundreds of health-related resources,” she said.

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Livonia Physician Loses License

The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) has summarily suspended the medical license of Seth D. Cohen, M.D., due to his felony conviction in the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court, Oakland County, Michigan.

On April 7, 2005, Cohen pled no contest to Accosting a Minor for Immoral Purposes and was later sentenced to 60 days in jail with credit for one day. Upon release Cohen will be placed on probation, with terms, for a period of three years. Additionally, Cohen was ordered to pay fines and costs totaling $720.

The Public Health Code provides for the mandatory summary suspension of a health professional’s license upon the conviction of a felony. On August 29, 2005, the MDCH Bureau of Health Professions issued an order immediately suspending Cohen’s license, which became effective on September 2, 2005. An administrative hearing will be scheduled to address the status of Cohen’s medical license.

For more information on disciplinary actions taken by the health professional licensing boards within MDCH, please go to http://www.michigan.gov/mdch, and click on Health Systems and Licensing.

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Michigan Hurricane Relief Hotline To Close Today

Michigan citizens showed generosity and compassion by making countless offers of donations on the state’s Hurricane Katrina Relief Hotline (888-535-6136) in the days since the disaster. After a successful response, the hotline is now forwarding compiled lists of donation offers to local agencies.

The State of Michigan Hurricane Katrina Relief Hotline – staffed by up to 30 volunteers at once – many of the them state employees on their own time – handled more than 16,000 total calls in 12 days of operation. Almost 7,000 calls were taken from Michigan residents who offered durable goods or volunteered to help those affected by the hurricane. Several thousand more callers were referred on to the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army and other organizations to make monetary contributions.

“We continue to be moved by the outpouring of support shown by Michigan citizens,” said Governor Jennifer M. Granholm. “People called to donate clothing, food, water, diapers, housing, equipment and many other needed items. We have been able to take those calls for those donation offers and will be matching them with an appropriate need.”

As offers of donations were received, hotline operators entered them into a computerized database, which will now be passed on statewide to local jurisdictions, primarily those who are in the process of receiving evacuees. Cities – and their mayors – where evacuees will be offered more permanent housing will have access to the data and also will have the ability to contact people who offered donations when hurricane evacuees arrive.

“We have received many calls from volunteers willing to give their time, including physicians and other members of our health care community, firemen, law enforcement and the general public,” Granholm said. “Our fellow citizens have suffered tremendous loss and your humanitarian donations will be put to good use.” When citizens call the hotline number after 5 p.m. today, they will still receive information about where to send donations.

Michigan citizens can still help by making a financial contribution. To donate, call the American Red Cross (1-800-HELP-NOW) or the Salvation Army (1-800-SAL-ARMY). Secure, online donations can also be made at www.redcross.org.

Members of the health care community wishing to volunteer can register at the Department of Health and Human Services website: https://volunteer.ccrf.hhs.gov/. Others wishing to volunteer should contact a local chapter of the American Red Cross. Hurricane Katrina Evacuees who are now in Michigan may contact a local office of the Michigan Department of Human Services to obtain information about assistance and temporary shelter.

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Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage Education Available To Michigan Medicare Beneficiaries

State officials today introduced efforts to educate Michigan’s Medicare beneficiaries on the new federal Medicare Prescription Drug Plan – scheduled to begin on January 1.

Representatives from the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging (OSA) and the Michigan Medicare Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) kicked off their efforts with a press conference at the Tri-County Area Agency on Aging office in Lansing today.

“We are working closely with the experts at MMAP to provide Michigan’s beneficiaries with the information they need to make the best choice for their prescription coverage, said Sharon L. Gire, OSA Director.” The new federal drug benefit affects Michigan’s 1.5 million Medicare beneficiaries, and it is imperative that they all have the information they need to make decisions about their prescription drugs."

This October, beneficiaries will be inundated with information about the specific plans available in their area. Starting on November 15, beneficiaries can start enrolling in the Medicare drug plan of their choice. For coverage to begin on January 1, 2006, enrollment has to occur prior to December 31, 2005.

If enrollment occurs after May 15, 2006, beneficiaries may be faced with increased monthly premiums.

‘‘It’s understandable for people to be concerned or hesitant about the changes in the Medicare system, but what most people don’t realize is that there are free, credible resources to help them sort through the options,’’ says Mary Johnson, MMAP State Director.

For 24-hour-a-day help, Medicare has a 1-800 number (1-800-MEDICARE) that offers assistance over the phone to anyone with questions. MMAP is a free service with trained volunteer counselors in communities throughout Michigan who are ready to educate people enrolled in Medicare about health care coverage decisions of all kinds.

MMAP counselors can help clarify coverage plans and options, help identify savings plans, help identify scams and assist with paperwork.

MMAP counselors can be reached by calling 1-800-803-7174, MMAP’s toll-free help line. Every call is routed by area code to a local office with MMAP counselors.

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Michigan Surgeon General Debuts State Suicide Prevention Plan

Michigan Surgeon General Dr. Kimberlydawn Wisdom debuted a new state policy blueprint today designed to prevent suicides and reduce the number of citizens that attempt suicides annually.

The Michigan Suicide Prevention Plan, developed by the Michigan Suicide Prevention Coalition (MiSPC), represents a comprehensive effort to engage critical stakeholders and address suicide at a state level, she said.

“Suicide crosses all race, age, gender, and socio-economic boundaries, and it deserves our undivided attention today,” Wisdom said, while speaking in the Capitol Rotunda to more than 100 suicide prevention advocates. “For the first time, Michigan has a comprehensive, long-term strategy to address suicide that is fully supported by stakeholders who are daily engaged in this critical work.”

The plan, available at www.michigan.gov/injuryprevention, aligns with the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention, and addresses this increasingly prevalent public health problem with an integrated approach to suicide prevention over the entire lifespan, Wisdom said.

Other goals of the Suicide Prevention Plan include:

·Increase awareness that suicide is preventable and reduce the stigma associated with mental illness

·Reduce the number of suicide attempts among Michigan youth ·Promote efforts to reduce access to lethal means and methods of suicide, including creating public information campaigns designed to reduce the accessibility of lethal means in the home.

·Enhance the recognition of high risk individuals within communities, and improve response times to people that are identified as high risk

·Support and promote research on suicide and suicide prevention ·Develop and implement community-based prevention programs

·Improve access to community mental health and substance abuse services

“Michigan’s Suicide Prevention Plan is based on the most valid information we now have about how to reduce suicide deaths and attempts using a community-based, public health approach,” said Larry Lewis, chairperson of MiSPC and Michigan's community organizer for the Suicide Prevention Action Network (SPAN USA).

In 2003, suicide deaths in Michigan (1,018) topped deaths related to homicide (644) and HIV/AIDS (237) combined.

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MDCH Urges Health Care Professionals Statewide To Coordinate Efforts, Not Self Deploy

Michigan Department of Community Health Director Janet Olszewski urged health care professionals considering heading south to assist in Hurricane Katrina relief efforts to coordinate their efforts and not go to affected areas on their own.

Olszewski said federal officials have already received countless offers to provide assistance from local and state response officials of almost every discipline.

"While federal, state, and local officials greatly appreciate the outpouring of support for relief efforts, it is critical that assistance be provided only when it has been requested. Louisiana and Mississippi have a finite capacity to support incoming assistance," Olszewski said. "Requests for assistance are carefully planned so this capacity is not exceeded. Self-deployments and unsolicited offers of assistance from Michigan public health professionals will compromise these efforts if officials on the ground in affected states have health care professionals appear from thin air."

In Michigan, emergency responders are strongly encouraged to work with their local hospital or health department – if employed there – to communicate offers of assistance. Physicians, nurses, and other health care personnel not employed by these facilities can visit the web at https://volunteer.ccrf.hhs.gov to volunteer and assist in Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

If an impacted state needs a specific type of assistance, federal officials will issue a request through the Michigan emergency management system.

As a reminder, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are still requiring that public health professionals heading south be vaccinated against tetanus, diphtheria, and Hepatitis B.

Already, more than 35,000 emergency responders nationwide – including public health professionals – have been sent to Katrina impacted states.

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MDCH Releases Findings Of Tittabawassee River Fish Consumption Health Consultation

A final Public Health Consultation released by the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) today confirms that dioxin levels in some Tittabawassee River fish represent a public health hazard if consumed on a reoccurring basis, officials said today.

Following the advice in the Michigan Family Fish Consumption Guide will reduce a person’s exposure to dioxins from consumption of Tittabawassee River fish, said Janet Olszewski, MDCH Director.

The most contaminated fish in the Tittabawassee River are carp, catfish and whitebass. MDCH recommends that people avoid eating these fish. Women of childbearing age and children under the age of 15 years old are further recommended not to eat smallmouth bass from the Tittabawassee River. The general population (women not of childbearing age and children over the age of 15) can eat smallmouth bass once per week.

Walleye, a migratory fish from Lake Huron that travels through the Saginaw River to reach the Tittabawassee River, contains some of the lowest dioxin levels. Women and children can safely eat one meal per month of walleye under 22 inches and six meals-per-year of walleye over 22 inches. For the general population, consumption of walleye less than 22 inches is unrestricted. The general population should eat only 1 meal-per-week of walleye over 22 inches.

All other fish in the Tittabawassee can be safely eaten at a rate of one meal-per-month for women and children, and one meal-per-week for the general population.

The MDCH Division of Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology conducted this consultation under a cooperative agreement with the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).

The purpose of the consultation was to assess the potential for health risks associated with dioxin exposure from both average and frequent ingestion of Tittabawassee River fish. The average consumer was estimated to consume one meal of Tittabawassee River fish per month. Frequent consumption was estimated to be 5 to 7 meals per month of Tittabawassee River fish. Frequent consumers of fish would ingest higher amounts of dioxins and were estimated to have a higher level of health risks.

The consultation, entitled Tittabawassee River Fish Health Consultation, is available on the MDCH web page, or by calling the MDCH toll free at 1-800-648-6942. Copies of the report are available to the public at the following locations:

The Grace A. Dow Memorial Library, 1710 West St. Andrews, Midland
The Midland County Health Department, 220 W. Ellsworth Street, Midland
The Saginaw County Health Department, 1600 N. Michigan Avenue, Saginaw
The Tittabawassee Township Office, 145 South 2nd Street, Freeland
The Zauel (Saginaw Township) Library, 3100 N. Center Road, Saginaw
The Thomas Township Library, 8207 Shields Drive, Saginaw
The James Township Hall, 6060 Swan Creek Road, Saginaw
The Hoyt Library, 505 Janes Avenue, Saginaw
The Saginaw Bay-District office of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, 503 N. Euclid Avenue, Suite 9, Bay City

Questions regarding this consultation should be addressed to:

Kory Groetsch
Michigan Department of Community Health
Division of Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology
3423 North Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
P.O. Box 30195
Lansing, Michigan 48909

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Volunteers Preparing To Head To Gulf Coast Need To Ensure That Immunizations Are Updated

Volunteers interested in going to the Gulf Coast to assist local, state, and national disaster relief efforts need to ensure that their tetanus, diphtheria, and hepatitis B vaccines are up-to-date.

Janet Olszewski, Director of the Michigan Department of Community Health, said that all volunteers need to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guidelines and ensure that:

Tetanus and diphtheria toxoid (receipt of primary series, and Td booster within 10 years) have been administered.
Hepatitis B vaccine series for persons who will be performing direct patient care or otherwise expected to have contact with bodily fluids also are administered.

"At this point in time, it is vital that all volunteers in Michigan work through appropriate channels for assignment to the Gulf Coast region. However, they should ensure now that their immunizations are up-to-date, in case they are asked to assist," Olszewski said. "We urge volunteers interested in heading to the Gulf Coast to visit the CDC web site for additional updates."

The website volunteers can access for the latest immunization information is:

http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/responderimmun.asp.

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Farmington Hills Nurse Has License Summarily Suspended

The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) has summarily suspended the registered nurse license of Lawrence James Simpkin, R.N., based on his felony convictions in the 53rd Judicial District Court of Cheboygan County, Michigan.

On April 20, 2004, Simpkin was convicted of one count of Malicious Destruction of Personal Property, $1,000-$20,000, and one count of Attempted Larceny, $1,000-$20,000, both felonies. As a result, Simpkin was sentenced to 18 months probation with terms and ordered to pay a supervision fee of $1,026 and fines and costs totaling $1,290.

On August 9, 2005, MDCH issued an order immediately suspending Simpkin’s license pursuant to the Public Health Code, which provides for the mandatory summary suspension of a health professional’s license upon the conviction of a felony. An administrative hearing will be scheduled to address the status of Simpkin’s registered nurse license.

For more information on disciplinary actions taken by the health professional licensing boards within MDCH, please go to the Bureau of Health Professions web site.

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Detroit Osteopathic Has License Summarily Suspended

The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) has summarily suspended the osteopathic physician license of Stuart William Bilyeu, D.O. The MDCH Bureau of Health Professions orders a summary suspension when it believes that the public’s health, safety, and welfare warrant emergency action.

The Michigan Automated Prescription System (MAPS) revealed that Bilyeu had prescribed over 49,000 dosage units of controlled substances to 18 of his patients between May 1, 2003 and May 4, 2004.

Bilyeu had a large number of dispensing discrepancies in the patient records and dispensings that were reported to MAPS. Bilyeu has failed to maintain a complete and accurate inventory of all controlled substances in his possession, failed to take an inventory annually of all controlled substances in his possession, and failed to keep and make available for inspection all records for controlled substances, invoices, and other acquisition records.

On August 15, 2005, MDCH issued an order immediately suspending Bilyeu’s osteopathic physician license. An administrative hearing will be scheduled to address the status of Bilyeu’s license.

For more information on disciplinary actions taken by the health professional licensing boards within MDCH, please go to the Bureau of Health Professions' web site.

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