Bmore Healthy Newsletter: June 1, 2018

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Note From The Commissioner:

Dear Community Partner,

This week, the Baltimore City Health Department bid a fond farewell to Olivia Farrow, Deputy Commissioner for Youth Wellness and Community Health, after 33 years of service to the City. Even among other great public servants at the Health Department, Olivia stands out—for the depth of her commitment to the residents of Baltimore, but also for the grace and good humor in which she works.

Olivia worked her way up at the Health Department, beginning as a Sanitarian in our Bureau of Environmental Health. She subsequently became the first lawyer for the Health Department to prosecute a lead poisoning case in Baltimore City, helping reduce the number of lead-poisoned children by over 90 percent citywide. More than two decades of service later, she became the Interim Health Commissioner, then the Director of the Mayor’s Office of Human Services.

I am so grateful to have worked with Olivia for the past three years. She has overseen some of our City’s most significant programs, including B’More for Healthy Babies and Safe Streets. Olivia has been instrumental to our starting the Baltimore City Stabilization Center—the beginning of our 24/7 “ER” for addiction and behavioral health needs.

But to solely focus on Olivia’s accomplishments but would be a disservice, because she has been an invaluable resource for the entire Health Department—and to me. Olivia has been part of my transition to the Health Department and to Baltimore from the very beginning, and has every step of the way, has been exceptionally generous with her wisdom, support, and friendship. Olivia’s exemplary service to the City spans over three decades, and many hundreds of others have similarly benefited from her guidance.

All of us at the Baltimore City Health Department wish her well in her next journey. Congratulations and thank you for 33 exceptional years! Olivia and so many others at the Health Department inspire me every day with their dedication, commitment, and integrity. Our Department – and our City – are better for it. I thank Olivia and I thank all of our public servants for the work they do every single day.

Leana Wen, M.D., M.Sc.

Hundreds of Seniors Join Mayor Pugh, the Health Department, and Rec & Parks for National Senior Health and Fitness Day in Patterson Park

On Wednesday, hundreds of Baltimore’s older adults joined Mayor Catherine E. Pugh, the Health Department, and the Department of Recreation & Parks in Patterson Park for the 25th Annual National Senior Health and Fitness Day.

Natasha Ramberg, Chief of Community Services for the Health Department’s Division of Aging and CARE Services, brought greetings on behalf of Dr. Wen and encouraged residents to register for the Health Department’s citywide initiative – The Billion Step Challenge.

“We are all seniors in training,” said Mayor Pugh. “It is important that you take care of your health and exercise to stay productive.”

Occurring annually every last Wednesday in May, National Senior Health & Fitness Day is the nation's largest annual health and wellness event for older adults. Participants were treated to lunch and invited to visit health vendors in the Park.

To sign up for the Billion Step Challenge, click here.

Clinical Director Named President-Elect of Maryland Assembly on School-Based Health Centers

On May 17, several of the Health Department’s School-Based Health Center staff attended the Maryland Assembly on School-Based Health Centers (MASBHC) Conference. The conference featured presentations on sexual health, opioid addiction, embracing LGBTQ students, understanding the impact of trauma, transitioning adolescent patients to adult care, and using Rapid Assessment for Adolescent Preventive Services (RAAPS) to identify adolescent risk and support positive change.

The Health Department’s Clinical Director Joy Twesigye, currently serving as President-Elect, will serve as the President of MASBHC beginning in 2020.

Pictured:
Back Row (Left to Right): Joy Twesigye, Francine Childs, Vonita Vaughan, and Dr. Ihuoma Emenuga
Front Row (Left to Right): Christine Rutkowski, Drue Hodgetts, Monique Nkere, Susan Borinsky, Tammy Petrides, and Maggie Singleton

To learn more about the Health Department’s School-Based Health Centers, click here.

Dr. Wen Speaks at City Arts & Lectures in San Francisco

On Tuesday, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen was interviewed by Mina Kim, KQED News anchor and Friday host of Forum, as part of City Arts & Lectures’ “Conversations on Science” series. Previous guests included: Sally Yates (Former Acting Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General); Cecile Richards (Former President, Planned Parenthood Federation of America); Robert Reich (Former Secretary of Labor); Misty Copeland (Principal Dancer, American Ballet Theatre); Annie Leibovitz (Photographer); Van Jones (CNN Correspondent); and Mohsin Hamid (Writer).

“Addiction is a disease, treatment works, and recovery is possible,” said Dr. Wen. “But when people are dying from overdose, we have to save their lives with naloxone today in order to get them into treatment tomorrow.”

Pictured left to right: Dr. Wen, Ms. Kim, and Dr. Carl Hart, fellow panelist.

To learn more about the Health Department’s opioid overdose prevention and treatment work, click here.

Division of Aging and CARE Services Hosts Annual Family Caregiver’s Conference

Last Wednesday, the Health Department’s Division of Aging and CARE Services held its annual Family Caregiver’s Conference, “You Have the Power,” at Morgan State University. The conference focused on empowering caregivers to take control of their health and stay proactive and informed. Deputy Commissioner Heang Tan gave opening remarks to more than 300 attendees and 40 vendors on behalf of Dr. Wen. During her remarks, she emphasized the importance of caregivers’ contributions to local and national economies, and reminded caregivers to stay healthy and engaged.

This year's keynote speaker was award-winning author Marita Golden, who spoke about her new novel "The WIDE Circumference of LOVE," a moving African-American story of love, devotion, and caregiving.

The conference also celebrated its partnership with Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center and its Called to Care Program. Dr. Dan Hale, Baltimore City Commission on Aging member and Special Advisor to the President of Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, spoke on the importance of the partnership.

To learn more about the Health Department’s resources for older adults, click here.

Assistant Commissioner Attends Baltimore Healthy Start Fundraiser

Assistant Commissioner of the Bureau of School Health Francine Childs and her family attended a fundraiser at R. House on May 17 to benefit Baltimore Healthy Start. Ms. Childs is an ex-officio member of the Baltimore Healthy Start Board serving as the Health Commissioner’s designee.

The Fundraiser was sponsored by the Women's Advocacy Coalition: Baltimore.

Updated White Paper Now Available Online

The Health Department recently released its updated White Paper: State of Health in Baltimore, which describes the Health Department’s principles, policies, and services. This year’s White Paper reflects upon the Health Department’s goals and recent accomplishments in improving health outcomes in Baltimore City.

To read the full paper, click here.

Health Department Offers Naloxone Trainings at Enoch Pratt Free Libraries

Learn how to save a life from an opioid overdose. Health Department staff will conduct naloxone trainings at various Enoch Pratt Free Libraries. Registration is not required.

Monday, June 18 at 6:00 p.m.

Patterson Park Branch, 158 N. Linwood Avenue, 21224

Wednesday, June 20 at 2:00 p.m.

Orleans Street, 1303 Orleans Street, 21231

Tuesday, July 17 at 1:00 p.m.

Reisterstown Branch, 6310 Reisterstown Road, 21215

Thursday, July 19 at 1:00 p.m.

Forest Park Branch, 3023 Garrison Blvd., 21216

Thursday, August 2 at 2:00 p.m.

Northwood Branch, 4420 Loch Raven Blvd., 21218

Friday, August 3 at 10 a.m.

Hamilton Branch, 5910 Harford Rd., 21214

To learn more, visit www.dontdie.org.

Coming Up: Baltimore in Conversation

Join the Health Department for the fifth edition of Baltimore in Conversation on Saturday, June 2, 2018, at the Maryland Institute College of Art’s BBox: The Gateway performance space, located at 1601 W. Mt. Royal Ave.

The bi-annual storytelling event’s theme this year is “resilience.” Speakers will share stories about the social determinants of health and discuss the importance of empathy between patients and providers.

The event is free and open to the public. Please RSVP to: IMPACT.Campaign@baltimorecity.gov.