Travis County Commssioners Court
October 15, 2002
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Agenda Item 2
2. Consider designation of edward j. Sherwood, m.d., F.a.c.p., As acting health -- I would like to know what facp means, as acting health authority and designation of linda williams dooley, m.d. Jo as alternate health authority for Austin/Travis County health and human services department effective October 7, 2002, and take appropriate action. And the almost question, marietta to think about between now and the end is whether we need to ratify the appointment through today and make the appointment beginning today here after. This is October 15th the --
>> the doctor is already gone.
>> yes, he is.
>> you have been filling the position since October 7th, I guess. That's the agenda item.
>> well, judge Biscoe, that was our original intent, but in terms of getting it on the agenda for both council and commissioners court, it's taken us a little while.
>> so this would be the appointment then.
>> yes, sir.
>> effective -- just change the effective date to October 15th, that would be fine.
>> uh-huh.
>> okay. Good morning.
>> good morning, sir.
>> judge Biscoe, commissioners, as you are aware, we are required to have a local health authority to carry out some of the state statutory requirements related to public health. This is very -- this is a very important position to us in the health department. The health authority provides medical leadership responding to disease outbreaks. Also conducts formal hearings related to animal services and our environmental health program and helps us enforce the regulations associated with those programs. And provides overall medical leadership and guidance to our various public health programs and also provides critical support in terms of emergency preparedness. With dr. Harris resigning as our local health authority and us proceeding with a formal recruitment for a permanent replacement, it's very important that we set up an interim arrangement to make sure that there's no gap in coverage. Fortunately dr. Sherwood, which is a residents of Travis County and it trained in internal medicine, in infectious diseases, has a lot of experience in this area and also in terms of medical leadership positions with the veterans administration and other systems, is available on a part-time basis. And also doctor linda dooley, backup authority has been with our department since 1983 will also continue to serve as backup. So the combination of dr. Sherwood and dr. Coolly will provide -- dooley will provide us with good coverage during this interim period. Our objective is to complete our recruitment and have a permanent health authority named by the first of the year. With that I would like to introduce dr. Cher wod and ask -- sherwood and ask him to make a few comments and clarify what a facp is.
>> fellow of the american college of physicians. I do have some relevant past experience and I think that I would be able to help david during this interim period I consider it a privilege to be afforded the opportunity to do so. Since you've given me a microphone, however, I need to say that as we appropriately prepare for threats such as bio terrorism and as the public becomes increasingly concerned about other sorts of threats like snipers, we all need to keep in perspective that the greatest threat to our health, collectively and individually rest was our personal lifestyles. Heart disease is the biggest killer in this country. I would invite the judge and commissioners to help set an example for the people of the county by engaging in regular physical activity and prudent lifestyles because that is the way we will have the biggest impact on our health. While david and I and many others will prepare for the events that we all that we never see. Thank you, sir.
>> sitting here on Tuesday is not enough exercise? [ laughter ]
>> raising a coffee cup.
>> a little bit more activity than we have here, I take it.
>> nor are long meetings. I guess that I have to ask you, I ask other public health authorities is why -- when can we get to the point of declaring the drug problem that we have as a public health issue?
>> the drug problem that we have is certainly a public health issue. I would hasten to add that tobacco is the drug that is the greatest threat to the public health.
>> if we can do both as public health issues rather than criminal justice issue. I think that we could probably solve it a lot faster.
>> I would certainly agree.
>> the drug problem, of course, gets back to the choice of personal health and personal lifestyle. No health department can make others healthy. It takes personal responsibility. Although there's -- there's a huge role that health department does need to pursue.
>> we have been very lucky having not only dr. Harris but dr. Sanchez before that, so we have very high hopes for you and again welcome. It's a very challenging job and your resume, I was very interested in the fact that you did a 10 year stint with the veterans administration because of our ongoing desire to move with our clinics to have a partnership with the vsm a. So welcome -- with the v.a., Welcome aboard.
>> thank you.
>> welcome.
>> dr. Dooley's backup. Move approval effective today. October 15th, without.
>> second.
>> any more discussion in all in favor? That passes by unanimous vote.
>> thank you very much, welcome.
>> welcome. Thank you.
Last Modified: Wednesday, April 2, 2003 10:25 AM