Health department adds equipment without breaking budget

From left, Dave Cramer of Community Bank; Gayle Thomas, Saline County Health Department administrator; Mary Kay Donnell, representing Medical Reserve Corps; and Kay MacLaughlin of Wood & Huston Bank pose with the new Automatic External Defibrillator installed at the Saline County Health Department. (Eric Crump/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

The Saline County Health Department has added new equipment recently and voted to make another equipment addition during its regular meeting Monday, June 9.

One addition is two complete sets of dental equipment, including one x-ray machine, according to Administrator Gayle Thomas.

In her report to the board, she noted Health Inspector Craig Sullivan, Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) Coordinator Russ Donnell and Marshall Habilitation Center dentist Vince Lutterbie made a trip to Osage Beach May 22 to pick up $50,000- to $70,000-worth of donated dental equipment, which was provided by the Missouri Dental Association.

"Now all we need is a dentist," Thomas said.

The board is currently forming a committee of volunteers who will develop a strategy for recruiting a dentist for the department.

Thomas also reminded the board about the Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) obtained last month in cooperation between the department and MRC with assistance from Community Bank and Wood & Huston Bank.

The next equipment addition will be a pickup truck capable of towing the department's mobile emergency response facility.

Thomas said the trailer, now that it is fully equipped, including a generator, has become too heavy to be towed by staff members' trucks.

On a recent trip to the state surplus center, staff members found a truck they believe will suit the department's needs, Thomas said.

The ¾-ton truck has a 10-cylinder engine, she said. The cost, $12,300, will be shared by the department and MRC.

The board approved the purchase, although board President Stephen Allegri expressed some reservations, noting that owning a vehicle could introduce complications down the road, setting a precedent that future boards may feel obligated to continue.

In other business, the board heard from staff member Tara Brewer, who said the department's Children's Special Health Care Needs program had received a good report from a state supervisor who visited recently.

"I believe we got one of the biggest compliments a monitor can give a contract," she said. "He said we have a model program here. I'm pretty proud of that statement."

The monthly department statistics report showed the program is also growing, with 100 more contacts in May 2008 than in May 2007.

Department activity is up generally over last year, according to the report, with total contacts for all programs at 5,333 in May 2008 versus 4,783 for May 2007.

Following the open meetings the board convened in an unannounced closed session to discuss real estate matters.

Allegri said the lack of notice was because he had not learned of the need for the closed session until that day.

Members present included Allegri, Roberta Griffitt, Sarah Kirchhoff and Virgie Simmerman.

The next regular meeting of the board will be Monday, July 14, at 7 p.m. in the department's conference room.

Contact Eric Crump at marshalleditor@socket.net