- Written by Jennifer King, Public Information Officer
- Category: Press Room
Our public health nurses from district and county levels who received the 2023 Walt Orenstein Immunization Championship Award on behalf of the North Georgia Health District are pictured from left to right: Jennifer Vick, Krystal Sumner, and LeighAnn Dover of the Gilmer County Health Department; district Immunization Coordinator, Robin Coffey; and Doreen Andrew, Cyndi Lopez, and Karen Mathis of the Cherokee County Health Department.
North, GA – The North Georgia Health District was recently honored with the 2023 Walt Orenstein Immunization Champions Award at the Immunize Georgia Conference hosted by the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) in Atlanta. The award recognizes outstanding leadership and impact in immunizing Georgians, and this marks the fifth time the North Georgia Health District received this prestigious honor.
Based in Dalton, the North Georgia Health District oversees public health in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens, and Whitfield counties. The district was recognized specifically for the staff's unwavering commitment to ensuring vaccinations are easily accessible and available to all residents, regardless of their ability to pay. The district's seven health department locations and two Ryan White Clinics work together to evaluate each patient's immunizations using the Georgia Registry of Immunization Transactions (GRITS).
In addition to providing vaccinations in the clinics, the staff works in schools, businesses, colleges, nursing homes, drug rehabilitation centers, and prisons to ensure access to vaccinations and education. A relevant example was their response to the recent mpox (monkeypox) epidemic when they developed a vaccination campaign targeting at-risk populations, providing free vaccines to those who reported being at risk. They also set up private clinics to meet vaccine demand and sent staff to local centers where possible virus exposures may have existed.
The commitment to providing easily accessible vaccines has been particularly notable in the North Georgia Health District during the COVID-19 pandemic. Walk-in clinics that do not require appointments for no-cost COVID-19 vaccines at the health departments have simplified getting these vaccines for residents. Plus, district and county staff organized COVID-19 vaccine clinics at various locations in each community.
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- Written by Jennifer King, Public Information Officer
- Category: Press Room
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National Nurses Week, May 6 – 12, is the perfect time to give thanks to our dedicated public health nurses who strive each day to help residents in each of our North Georgia communities live happier, healthier lives. We are grateful for everything they do! Click the health services below that our nurses are instrumental in providing at public health facilities in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens, and Whitfield counties.
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- Written by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Category: Press Room
Vaccines for Your Children
Click HERE to learn more from the CDC about the importance of on-time Vaccines for Your Children and how you can keep them on track!
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- Written by Patricia Spanjer, IBCLC, LLLL • President
- Category: Press Room
Patricia Spanjer, IBCLC, LLLL, President of the Northwest Georgia Breastfeeding Coalition celebrates their 30th year!
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The Northwest Georgia Breastfeeding Coalition (NWGBC) celebrated its 30th anniversary by hosting its 18th annual professional conference. After three years of on-demand only, they were excited to be back in person. On-demand was also offered at this year’s conference.
The 2023 conference was held at the Dalton Convention Center and featured Liz Brooks, JD, IBCLC, FILCA. The conference title, “Is That Even Legal? Law and Ethics for Lactation Providers,” gave the attendees consisting of nurses, WIC staff, IBCLCs, dietitians/nutritionists, and community volunteers a rare look at how the law applies to protecting parents.
The Northwest Georgia Breastfeeding Coalition began on March 11, 1993, in Dalton, Georgia. The first official meeting was attended by 16 interested persons and led by Carol Srymanske. Theresa Brown and Patty Spanjer, attendees at the first meeting, are still very involved in the coalition.
Carol Srymanske, former WIC Breastfeeding Coordinator of the North Georgia Health District, and her husband, Jay, both passed away in November 2008. In memory of Carol and Jay, the Northwest Georgia Breastfeeding Coalition provides scholarships to selected conference attendees each year. The primary requirement is involvement in lactation work through employment, volunteer work, or as a student.
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