Don't see graphics and text from DPH?Click here Follow Us! Atlanta Anti-Tobacco Teens Win National Acclaim Submit your story suggestions, ideas, comments or a story of your own! In This Issue Teens Win National Acclaim Officials Urge Georgians to 'Look Again' West Georgians Lose 3,200 lbs DPH Hosts First Employee Recognition Day Members of the H.E.A.R.T. Coalition, a Fulton County drug-free communities coalition, have been named Youth Advocates of the Year by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids for their leadership in the fight against tobacco. They were honored with the Group Award at a gala in the nation's capital on May 15 along with four U.S. regional winners and a national winner. Cantrell Foster, 18, a senior at North Atlanta High School; Deshanda Smarr, 16, a junior at Sean Smith, Desha Smarr, Deshanda Smarr, Cantrell Foster, Rachel Kelly and Destiny Brown are members of the H.E.A.R.T. Coalition. Carver Health Science and Research; Desha Smarr, 15, a sophomore at Carver School of the Arts; and Joseph Cole, 18, a senior at Carver Health Science and Research accepted the award. Taiwan Exchange Program A 'Wonderful Lesson" PHEVENTS Looking for DPH events? Visit the Events Schedule on our website. The H.E.A.R.T. Coalition has raised awareness of and taken action against tobacco throughout Atlanta and in the African-American community in particular. Last year, the group led a successful campaign for a tobacco-free parks ordinance. They gathered signatures for a petition and attended a city council meeting to inform council members about problems such as secondhand smoke and cigarette butt litter that tobacco was causing in community parks. With the help of a city council member, the ordinance passed with unanimous support. The H.E.A.R.T. Coalition has since conducted surveys and continued to educate the community on the benefits of smoke-free parks. PHTRAINING Officials Urge Georgians to 'Look Again' Two for Tuesdays Join the Office of Human Resources on the second Tuesday of each month from 11:30 a.m.12:45 p.m. for the learning series Two for Tuesdays. This series provides an opportunity for Gov. Nathan Deal, first lady Sandra Deal and leaders of several state agencies are calling for parents and caregivers of children to have heightened awareness this summer of the dangers of leaving programs to explore new ideas, children unattended in vehicles. share knowledge and highlight teams and their work. On June 10, DPH staff will present on learning and collaboration technologies. To learn more and to register, click here. Officials hope a new YouTube video titled "Look Again," featuring Georgia parents who have lost children to vehicular heatstroke accidents, will help raise awareness and prevent similar incidents in the future. Excel Basics Tues., June 3 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. "During Georgia's hot summer months, there is a higher risk of serious injury or death as a result of a child being left alone inside a vehicle," said Deal. "Since Excel Formatting Tues., June 3 2:00-4:30 p.m. 2010, seven children in Georgia have died due to vehicular heat stroke. I ask that all Georgians join me in preventing future loss of life by being aware of your surroundings and never taking the chance of leaving a child in a car, even for just a minute. Lives can be saved if we take the time to Look Again." Excel Formulas and Functions Thurs., June 5 1:30-4:30 p.m. "We as parents and grandparents work hard to keep our children safe and out of harm's way," said Mrs. Deal. "By increasing awareness and reminding your family Excel Graphical Charts Thurs., June 12 and friends to Look Again, together we can prevent future tragedies here in Georgia." 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Excel Working with Multiple Worksheets Thurs., June 12 1:30-4:30 p.m. West Georgians Lose 3,200 lbs. in Weight Loss Challenge Excel Intermediate Functions Tues., June 24 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Hundreds of west Georgia residents celebrated a personal Excel Data Management and Pivot health victory at this year's Tables Mayfest. The Get Healthy West Tues., June 24 1:30-4:30 p.m. Georgia 2014 Weight Loss Challenge marked its grand For employees not at 2 Peachtree, classes can be attended remotely; however, remote finale with a Big Reveal awards ceremony at the community festival in Carrollton on May 3. attendees must be registered 48 hours prior to class. Register for An enthusiastic crowd gathered 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. Free Online Courses Available from Lynda.com DPH has purchased a limited number of licenses for Lynda.com, an online library of high-quality, easy-to-use instructional videos on under Tanner Health System's Get Healthy, Live Well tent for the announcement of the challenge winners. Justin Richards won the individual category for men's highest weight loss percentage. Richards shed an Since the kickoff in January, astonishing 21.23 percent of his total weight during the 12-week challenge. participants across west Georgia have been tracking their weight, food intake and exercise with the tools provided through Get Healthy West Georgia's website. A total of 1,738 residents of Carroll, Haralson and Heard counties weighed in at the start of the 12-week challenge, and 70 teams of up to 10 members joined the challenge together. the latest software, creative and business skills. Licenses are available for check out on a first come, first served basis. To check out a license, simply email Lisa DPH Hosts First Employee Recognition Day Miller from your public health email account. The Georgia Department Submit Calendar Entries to of Public Health (DPH) communications@dhr.state.ga.us took a pause to celebrate the good work and good PHNEWS health of its employees. On May 21, the department celebrated its Home cooking: Schools put new emphasis on locally grown lunches first annual Employee Recognition and Wellness Day. CDC launching 50,000-person study of HIV tests Atlanta the top mosquito city in the U.S. Drowning Risk Varies by Age and Race Antibiotics for bronchitis: A widely used bad idea PHRECIPE State DPH employees attended the half-day event to focus on doing well and feeling well at DPH. The event also Employees gathered at the GBA Freight Depot for DPH's first Employee Recognition and Wellness Day. recognized employees who embody DPH's core values of excellence. DPH Chief of Staff James Howgate announced the winners of the first six DPH Value Awards: Mauri Smith, Award for Excellence in Accountability and Transparency Paula Brown, Award for Excellence in Collaboration and Teamwork Michelle Kirk, Award for Excellence in Commitment and Excellence Shelley Hanson, Award for Excellence in Customer Service and People Jane Kelly, M.D., Award for Excellence in Innovation and Science Michelle Allen, the Fitzgerald Award for Excellence in Leadership Taiwan Exchange Program A 'Wonderful Lesson," Fitzgerald Says Roasted Fish Crispy Slaw Wrap Serves 6 Click Here for Full Recipe PHWEEK Director of Communications Ryan Deal Editor Carrie Gann Content Coordinator Connie F. Smith Sr. Graphic Designer Ginny Jacobs Web Developer Jimmy Clanton, Jr. Editorial & Design Team Tammy Beasley Turquoise Griffith Eric Jens Nancy Nydam Sandra Roberts This month, Brenda Fitzgerald, M.D., commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Health, joined other U.S. health officials in Taiwan as part of an international exchange program of health leaders. Fitzgerald and heads of health departments at state and federal levels, physicians and executives of other health-related DPH Commissioner Brenda Fitzgerald, M.D., and other members foundations or national of the international exchange program met with Taiwanese associations spent 10 days health officials. in the country. The group visited local and rural communities to observe Taiwanese health systems and customs and spent time in conversation with the Taiwan Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW), the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control, Health Promotion Administration, and the Food and Drug Administration. In a rural town near Taipei, Fitzgerald met public health nurses who gave her a tribal band representing their community. Georgia Public Health Observances | May 2014 Forward email This email was sent to gadocs@uga.edu by communications@dhr.state.ga.us | Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribeTM | Privacy Policy. Georgia Department of Public Health | 2 Peachtree Street, NW | Atlanta | GA | 30303