Henderson County Board of Health  Minutes  Regular Meeting - May 14, 2024  Classroom of the Henderson County Department of Public Health  1200 Spartanburg Highway  Hendersonville, NC 28792  Call to Order  The Henderson County Board of Health meeting was called to order by Dr. Maggie Hayes,  Chairperson, at 6:00 p.m. Members Present  Kathleen Baluha, Registered Nurse Maggie Hayes, Physician - Chairperson Jennifer Hensley, General Public Member Bill Lapsley, County Commissioner Kenesha Smith, Pharmacist - Vice Chairperson John Bryant, General Public Member Leslie Leidecker, Veterinarian Haley Perry, Optometrist Alison Reid, Dentist  Members Not Present  Scott Prechter, General Public Member Jeffrey Young, Professional Engineer Steve Smith, Former Health Director Camden Stewart, Administrative Officer Stacy Nash, Community Health Director Crystal O'Dell, Director of Nursing Seth Swift, Environmental Health Director Amy McCall, WIC Director Dr. Curran, Medical Director  Staff Leadership Present Dave Jenkins, Health Director  Quorum Present  II. Welcome & Oaths of Office for David Jenkins, Henderson County Health Director Mrs. Camden Stewart, Notary Public, completed the Oaths of Office with Mr. David Jenkins to swear him in as the Henderson County Health Director, effective May 14, 2024.  1    Henderson County Board of Health  Minutes  Regular Meeting - May 14, 2024  III. Approval of the Meeting Agenda  Dr. Maggie Hayes asked board members if they were prepared to approve the proposed agenda. Motion: Dr. John Bryant made a motion for the agenda to be approved. The motion was seconded by Dr. Leslie Leidecker. Vote: The motion passed by unanimous vote. Dr. Hayes requested approval of the April 9, 2024 regular meeting minutes.  IV. Approval of the April 9, 2024 Minutes  Motion: Ms. Baluha made a motion for the minutes to be approved and it was seconded by  Dr. Bryant. Vote: The motion passed by unanimous vote.  V. Public Comments None.  VI. Presentations & Reports  The Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation  Dr. Steven Crane, Family Physician/UNC Professor of Medicine, spoke about the epidemic of loneliness and social isolation detailed in the 2023 US Surgeon General's report. This is a health issue that affects 1:4 seniors and other marginalized populations in Henderson County. Dr. Crane described social isolation as "the disease of despair" often leading to opioid use disorders, substance use, and suicide. He emphasized the need for change in Ms. Stacy Nash noted the community's collective strategies to address social isolation, including the work of the Henderson County Aging Coalition and the Henderson County Dr. Crane recommended that the Health Department establish an office of Social Infrastructure, convene a high-level task force with community partners, and develop an action plan to move forward. The Board agreed to continue this discussion in a subsequent  infrastructure to support social connection in the community.  Behavioral Health Summit.  meeting.  2023 Child Fatality Prevention Team  Dr. Diana Curran, Medical Director for the Henderson County Department of Public Health, began by referencing the summary of the 2023 cases reviewed. Those cases represented children younger than 18 years old that died in 2023 for reasons other than abuse and/or neglect. A majority oft the 11 cases reviewed were infant deaths. In 2023, the Child Fatality Prevention Team collaborated with community partners to identify best practices for safe  2    Henderson County Board of Health  Minutes  Regular Meeting - May 14, 2024  sleep behaviors. Henderson County is one of three NC counties piloting the NC: Safe Sleep Project, funded by the state legislature. The Child Fatality Prevention Team continues to provide recommendations related to suicide prevention and youth mental health. Dr. Curran added that gun safety in homes remained an ongoing priority for the team.  Pertussis Outbreak Update  Ms. Crystal O'Dell informed the Board about the ongoing Pertussis Outbreak in Henderson County. The current case count as of 5/14/2024 is 99 cases. The Health Department is completing contact tracing for each positive case and providing prophylactic antibiotic treatment as necessary. The Department is working with community partners to distribute  consistent messaging related to testing, treatment and follow up.  2023-2026 Strategic Plan Update  Mr. Jenkins presented the 2023 - 2026 Strategic Plan At-A-Glance stop light report, demonstrating strategies that are on-track, progress made/more work needed or no progress yet. Notably, major objectives related to the community health assessment, quality assurance and improvement efforts, implementation of a new phone system and workforce investment are all on track. An update to this report will be provided annually.  Health Director's Monthly Report  Mr. Dave Jenkins shared that he is continuing to orient himself to the department, meeting with department and county leadership, familiarizing himself with the budget process, and is looking forward toi fulfilling his responsibilities as the Health Director in Henderson County.  Mr. Steve Smith note the following:  Mr. Bill Lapsley was honored by the University of Wyoming College of Engineering and Physical Sciences with the 2024 Distinguished Engineer Award. Board of Health Governance Network is providing an upcoming training The County Manager's proposed FY25 budget has been published with most of the Implementation of the Zoom phone system at the Health Department was successful, with gratitude to IT for their diligence with this project. Inp partnership with the Hope Coalition, the Health Department will likely be pursuing a second grant application for COSSAP allowing for another three years of funding. More information will be provided related to this grant application in  opportunity for Board of Health members. public health requests included.  the coming weeks.  3    Henderson County Board of Health  Minutes  Regular Meeting - May 14, 2024  VII. Old Business  Board of Health - Review of Member Terms  Mr. Smith confirmed that Dr. John Bryant, Dr. Maggie Hayes, Dr. Kenesha Smith, and Dr. Leslie Leidecker had terms that were expiring. June 2024. Dr. Bryant, Dr. Hayes and Dr. Smith all expressed a willingness to serve another term. Mr. Smith stated that Dr. Leidecker had a  term ending that was not eligible to serve again.  VIII. New Business  Nominating Committee Considerations likely in their. June meeting. 2024 Staff Satisfaction Survey  Mr. Smith indicated that another veterinarian candidate was recommended for the board opening. This position will be considered and nominated by the Board of Commissioners  Due to time constraints, Mr. Jenkins recommended that this agenda item be postponed until June 2024. The Board agreed to move this item to their next meeting agenda.  Resolution in Honor of Dr. Leslie Leidecker to the Henderson County Board of Health.  Dr. Maggie Hayes read a resolution in honor Dr. Leslie Leidecker for her nine years of service  Closed Session - Health Director Performance Review  Dr. Hayes indicated that the board needed to go into closed session pursuant to North Carolina General Statute 143-318.11 (a)(6) to" "..consider the qualifications, competence, performance, character, fitness, conditions of appointment, or conditions of initial employment of an individual public officer or employee..". Motion: Ms. Baluha made am motion to go into closed session for the stated purpose and Dr. Bryant seconded the motion. Vote: The motion passed by unanimous vote. Dr. Hayes further stated to all those in attendance that the board would take no further action once it came back into open session and would immediately adjourn. Dr. Hayes excused all present except for board members. The board concluded the closed session at approximately 7:05 p.m. Motion: Dr. Hayes made a motion to exit the closed session and Dr. Smith seconded the motion. Vote: The motion passed by unanimous vote. Dr. Hayes invited Mr. Smith backi into the boardroom and indicated that she would follow up with him about the results of the performance review.  4    Henderson County Board of Health  Minutes  Regular Meeting = May 14, 2024  IX. Discussion  No further discussion. X. Adjournment  Motion: Ms. Baluha made a motion to adjourn, and it was seconded by Dr. Bryant.  Vote: The motion passed by unanimous vote.  Respectfullys submitted:  H Dalenleo Secretary to the Board/Health Director  04/1-/24 Date  Approved by the Henderson County Board of Health at the. June 11, 2024 meeting.  5