Follow Us! Fitzgerald Calls on Hundreds to Unite Under One Goal at GPHA Conference Raising the stakes in the war on childhood obesity, Submit your story suggestions, ideas, comments or a story of your own! Georgia's public health commissioner called into battle hundreds of public health In This Issue practitioners at the annual Fitzgerald Calls on Hundreds to Unite Georgia Public Health Association (GPHA) GPHA's 84th Conference a Success conference. DPH Social Media Earn Ranking Newborn Screening: 50 Years Public Service Recognition Week Importance of Volunteers "I want all of public health -- the GPHA, the Department of Public Health, our local health departments, our academic partners and our media partners like Partner Up [for Public Health] -- to commit to one goal this year. I want us to commit to the one goal of App Helps Locate Family Members reducing obesity," an emotional Brenda Fitzgerald, M.D., said in a keynote address highlighting Georgia's children. PHEVENTS Fitzgerald's remarks were met by applause by more than 350 people gathered at the Grand Hyatt Atlanta last week for the state's largest Newborn Screening Exhibit annual public health conference. April 29-May 9 2 Peachtree Lobby The Association of Public Health Laboratories is celebrating 50 years of newborn screening in the U.S. DPH employees at 2 Peachtree will "I've been around you for two and a half years now and I believe we can do it. Please join me," Fitzgerald said, ending her speech and beginning the enlistment of ambassadors for Georgia SHAPE's Power Up For 30, a new campaign aimed at encouraging 30 minutes of have the chance to learn more about active, physical fitness daily in Georgia schools. the history of newborn screening with a traveling exhibit that will be on display in the lobby. 2013 Arthritis Walk GPHA's 84th Annual Conference a May 4 9 a.m. Success Concourse Office Park, Atlanta The Arthritis Foundation is hosting its signature fundraising event. Click here for more information. The 84th annual meeting and conference of the Georgia Public Health Tai Chi in the Park Tuesday and Friday Association (GPHA) brought together more 11 a.m. than 350 national, state, DPH, in partnership with the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District, is offering tai chi classes at the water wall on the north end of Woodruff Park. The class is open to the community and there is no need to register. No classes will be held district and county public health employees, federal partners, exhibitors and sponsors to the Grand Hyatt Atlanta April 22 and 23. during inclement weather. Free Exercise Classes DPH offers group exercise classes everyday at 2 Peachtree. Classes This year's theme was Journey Across Georgia: Leading the way to Healthier Georgians. Melissa Atkins, epidemiologist for Northwest Health District 1-1, with colleagues during the Sellers-McCroan Award Luncheon. include dance, kickboxing, yoga, walking and more. Classes are open Each year, GPHA members gather at the conference meeting to on a first come, first served basis network, educate, collaborate and recognize peers who have and there is no need to pre-register. excelled in public health, public policy and/or public awareness. Download the monthly schedule at www.health.state.ga.us/wellness. Camara Jones, M.D., Ph.D., MPH, Office of Surveillance and Submit Calendar Entries to communications@dhr.state.ga.us Epidemiology and Laboratory Services at CDC, knew she had to attend because the conference was so close to headquarters in Atlanta. PHTRAINING Two for Tuesdays Join the Office of Training and Workforce Development the second Tuesday of each month for the new learning series Two for Tuesdays. This program provides an opportunity for programs to explore new ideas, share knowledge and highlight teams and their work. L'laina Rash will discuss DPH's internship program June 11. Introduction to Public Health Think you know what public health does? Here's an opportunity to know and learn more about the field of Public Health and specifically how it works in Georgia. This course is open to all employees new and seasoned to learn more about what we are doing in Georgia and how you role supports the department's goals. Course dates are May 21, June 25, July 23, Aug. 27, Sept. 24, Oct. 22 and Nov. 26. To learn more and to register, go to SABA or email Donna Dunn at dgdunn@dhr.state.ga.us. CPR Training April 30 8 a.m.-11 a.m. and Noon-1 p.m. Vital Records Two Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) courses will be held. It is a classroom and video-based instructor-led course that teaches adult CPR and Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) use, as well as how to relieve choking in an adult. The course teaches skills with the American Heart Association's research-proven Practice-WhileWatching (PWW) technique, which allows instructors to observe the students, provide feedback and guide the students' learning of skills. To register, go to SABA. "It is not only important for CDC to be active both nationally and globally," said Jones. "We are in Georgia and in Atlanta. I think that building relationships with people and learning information and perspectives from local levels, and networking, really make all of us who are trying to do work in public health more effective." Jones also wanted to get to know more about GPHA and its membership as a nominee for the office of president-elect for the American Public Health Association (APHA). DPH Social Media Earn National Ranking The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) has one of the best social media footprints of any state health department in the U.S., according to a new analysis. MPHProgramsList.com, a public health education advocacy group, included DPH on its list of the Top 45 Most Social Media Friendly State Health Departments for 2013. The department ranks 17th with an overall score of 74.4 out of a possible 100 points. The list awarded points for each health department's use of social media platforms -- 30 points for Facebook, 40 points for Twitter and 30 for YouTube. DPH's Facebook page earned 22.4 points, its Twitter profile earned 31.2 points and the DPH YouTube channel garnered 20.7 points. Rob Schliff, who coordinated the analysis, said the list is intended to emphasize the importance of using social media to communicate about public health. Focus Groups for the Public Health Professional May 16 and 17 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Evergreen Conference Center, Stone Mountain This two-day course introduces participants to the many applications of focus group in public health practice, including creating questions, facilitating groups and compiling data. For more information and to register, visit www.sph.emory.edu/ephtc. Contact Tara Reddwith questions. Register by May 9. Health Literacy and Cultural Competency: Practical Skills for Public Health Practitioners June 3 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Clarence Brown Conference Center, Cartersville This one-day course will improve the communication skills of public health practitioners by teaching strategies to incorporate key principles of health literacy and cultural competency into existing programs. For more information and to register, visit sph.emory.edu/ephtc. Contact Tara Redd, with questions. Register by May 28. Newborn Screening: 50 Years of Saving Lives An ordinary December morning in 1996 turned into a nightmare for Mike McConnell and his wife, Nancy. McConnell sat at his desk in his Atlanta law office when he got a frantic phone call from Nancy. She feared their 9-month- old daughter, Morgan, was dead. Nancy McConnell, wife of Mike McConnell, and "When my wife tried to their daughter, Morgan, 17. Morgan was born with the generic disorder LCHAD. wake her in the morning, her eyes were rolled back in her head," he said. The couple rushed Morgan to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite where she spent two weeks in intensive care as baffled doctors tried to diagnose her condition. Finally, they got an answer: Morgan had a genetic disorder known as LCHAD -- long-chain L-3 hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency -- that prevented her body from breaking down fats. Children with LCHAD can grow and develop normally, but only if parents know they need to eat a special diet. Analyzing Health Behaviors: Practical Skills for the Public Health Professional June 4 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Clarence Brown Conference Center, Cartersville This training will provide practical information on analyzing health behaviors to develop effective interventions. The course will introduce health education intervention planning and an overview of major theories, including stages of change, health belief model and planned behavior change. For more information and to register, visit sph.emory.edu/ephtc. Contact Tara Redd, with questions. Register by May 28. Community Needs Assessment Skills for the Public Health Professional June 13 and 14 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Moultrie Technical College, Tifton The training will provide participants with the practical skills and knowledge needed to conduct a community needs assessment. Participants do not need to have skills in research, assessment or evaluation to attend. Topics will cover design and implementation of community needs assessment. For more information and to register, visit www.sph.emory.edu/ephtc. Contact Tara Redd, with questions. Register by June 3. PowerPoint ClipArt & Graphics April 30 10 a.m.-noon PowerPoint Tables & Charts April 30 1:30-4:30 p.m. "The difference between life and death is so simple if you know your child has LCHAD," McConnell said. "But without a test, you would never know your child had this disorder. They seem perfectly normal." Newborn screening, a series of genetic tests on a blood sample taken at birth, can make a world of difference for children like Morgan. It allows health officials to identify babies with inherited conditions and work with parents to give them special care before certain foods, viruses or other health problems cause death or irreversible damage to their bodies and brains. May 6-10 is Public Service Recognition Week The week of May 6 is designated by Congress as Public Service Recognition Week and this year's theme is Why I Serve. The Georgia Department of Public Health is proud to honor its employees with a week of fun events. On May 6, DPH Commissioner Brenda Fitzgerald, M.D., will kick-off Public Service Recognition Week with an employee address at 3 p.m. DPH employees can view the address in the VICS conference rooms, EOC 3-240, Skyland Drive, Clairmont Lab and rooms 10-104 and 16105 at 2 Peachtree. The address will be followed by a frozen yogurt social on all public health floors from 3:30-4:30 p.m. At 4 p.m., public health employees are invited to participate in a Harlem Shake video recording. To participate, please contact L'laina Rash, ltrash@dhr.state.ga.us, by May 3. The location will be announced. May 7 is Retro Dress Day and employees are welcome to dress in their best attire from the 60s, 70s and 80s. A contest will be held in EOC 3-240 at 3 p.m. To participate, please contact L'laina Rash, ltrash@dhr.state.ga.us, by May 6. Access Basics May 2 1:30-4:30 p.m. Access Intermediate Queries Recent Tragedies Show Importance of May 6 2-4:30 p.m. Volunteers Access Form & Report Design May 14 10 a.m.-3:30 PM Access Advanced Queries May 16 2-4:30 p.m. Access Tables & Database Design May 30 9:30 a.m.-4:30 PM For employees not at 2 Peachtree, classes can be attended remotely -however, remote attendees must be registered 48 hours prior to class. Register for all classes through SABA (2 Peachtree attendees register for "Instructor-Led" and remote attendees register for "Virtual" classes). Contact Lisa Miller if you have questions. Submit Calendar Entries to communications@dhr.state.ga.us Sometimes volunteers in emergency response have time to prepare before an event occurs. Other times their services are needed in an instant. The latter was the case most recently in the Boston Marathon bombing and the West Texas plant explosion. The immense suffering that followed could have been even worse were it not for the people who quickly came to the aid of the victims. In Georgia, DPH's volunteer organizations were recently united in a streamlined registration process, now known as Georgia Responds. "In the wake of the events that occurred in Boston, people felt compelled to help from across the nation," said LaKieva Williams, DPH volunteer program director. "The Medical Reserve Corps units in the area have been actively providing both medical and non-medical services throughout the event. One MRC member participating in the race went directly from the marathon to the shelter." PHNEWS F.D.A. Bars Generic OxyContin Capt. Rob Tosatto, national director of the Division of Civilian Volunteer Medical Reserve Corps, said this is the type of community engagement volunteers are dedicated to. USDA starts new program to track farm animals Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Common in Raw Meat PHRECIPE App Helps Locate Family Members The Life360 Family Locator app uses the latest GPS tracking technology to help you find family members on a private map; see recent crimes nearby; know when your family is safe or needs help; receive alerts when family members reach specified locations; track misplaced or stolen phones; and other features. Vegan Cranberry Crumble Bars Prep and Cook Time: 1 hour Yields: 9 squares Click Here for Full Recipe Life360 Family Locator is also the only tracking app that is also compatible with regular phones so users can locate family members who don't have smartphones. PHWEEK With more than 27 million registered users, the app has been featured by TIME magazine, USA Today, ABC News, and CNN. Editor Nicole Price Content Coordinator Connie F. Smith Click here for more information and to download. 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