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Norwalk
Health Department
Board of Health Actions
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Board of Health Monthly Meeting Minutes
January 8, 2008
8:00 AM
Library
Call to order at 8:05 AM
Present: Board of Health – Ken Lalime, RPH, Theresa Quell, PhD, RN, Sheldon
Miller, Edward Tracey, MD, and John McNamara, MD (phone)
Staff – Tim Callahan, Director of Health
Guests - Mark Masselli, CEO, Margaret Flinter, Vice President and Clinical Director
and Adele Gordon, Norwalk Dental Clinic Director, Community Health Centers Inc
Minutes of December 11, 2007 meeting – A motion to approve was made by Ms Quell, seconded by Mr. Lalime, and approved unanimously.
Welcome Sheldon Miller
The Board members and Mr. Callahan welcomed Sheldon Miller to the Board of Health.
Mr. Miller, a long time Norwalk resident, is a retired businessman. He owned
a collections agency and his health care clients included Norwalk Hospital and
private physicians offices. Mr. Miller spoke of his desire to give back to the
community and said he is looking forward to serving on the Board of Health.
Community Health Centers Inc – Mark Masselli, CEO
Mr. Masselli and a group of interested community persons founded Community Health
Centers Inc in Middletown Connecticut in 1972. In 1992 CHC was awarded federal
funds to help defray the costs of providing health care to all without regard
to ability to pay. CHC operates health centers from Groton to Stamford to Enfield.
The services include medical in a family practice model, dentistry, behavioral
health and social services. In 2007 70,000 patients were served and 225,000
encounters were recorded.
Mr. Masselli highlighted several model and unique services and approaches to providing health care. CHC employs a fully electronic medical record. Upon entering care patients work with an Access to Care Coordinator to assess needs and decide on a provider. Walgreen’s operates pharmacies in the health centers and provides up to 50% discounts on prescription drugs to the uninsured. Advanced Access Scheduling provides appointments within 3 weeks and cut the no show rate from 40% to 7%. The staff operates n pods and works as a team to address all aspects of the patients care.
CHC came to Norwalk several years ago via dental care to the city’s Head Start programs. Since then dental services have expanded to Brien McMahon high school, a small clinic in the Norwalk Health Department building and a 5,00 square foot facility on Day St which employs 3 dentists and 3 dental hygienists.
After reviewing hospital emergency room information, morbidity and mortality data and as a result of experiences with the provision of dental care, Mr. Masselli said CHC is planning to take steps necessary to get approval from the federal government to provide primary care in Norwalk.
A discussion ensued and the Board members reiterated their desire to ensure all Norwalk residents have access to health care. The Board thanked Mr. Masselli and his staff for a very informative presentation.
Other Business
Strategic Planning sessions are scheduled for April 22, 2008 and May 6, 2008
from 4:00 to 6:00 PM.
Adjourn at 9:40 AM
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Adjourn 9:15 AM
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