- teach you basic breastfeeding skills
- Written by: Jennifer King, Public Information Officer
- Category: Media Releases
North GA - Teresa Costa, MPH, an esteemed Emory Epidemiology Fellow at the North Georgia Health District, has been honored with the prestigious Community Engagement Award from Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health for 2024. This accolade is bestowed upon a fellow whose exceptional work embodies the principles of community service, recognizing those who have fostered strong connections between their health district and the community through impactful public health initiatives.
Teresa's remarkable community engagement efforts over the past year included spearheading a collaborative endeavor to develop and implement a critical community needs assessment. Despite the availability of prevention, testing, and treatment resources at low cost through the health department, Cherokee County witnessed a concerning 45% surge in confirmed syphilis cases from 2019 to 2022. This uptick
Rollins Epidemiology Fellowship Community Engagement Award 2024
disproportionately affected historically marginalized populations, including Hispanic and Black non-Hispanic individuals, as well as people from the MSM (men who have sex with men) and PWID (people who inject drugs) populations.
After successfully obtaining The Community Engagement to Strengthen Approaches to Decrease Syphilis Grant from NACCHO (National Association of County and City Health Officials), Teresa played a crucial role in initiating a comprehensive community needs assessment campaign named "Using Community Informed Methods to Reduce Syphilis in Cherokee County" to identify barriers to care. Collaborating with the health district staff and community partners such as Cherokee Focus, the Cherokee County Health Department, and The Living Bridge Center South, a community needs assessment survey was published online and was promoted through paid and unpaid ads on various social media platforms. Additionally, flyers offering access to the survey via a QR Code link were widely distributed. The campaign specifically targeted the historically marginalized populations.
- Hits: 979
- Written by: Jennifer King, Public Information Officer
- Category: Press Room
Bi-Monthly Updates from our Infectious Disease Department!
Check out the latest issue of the North Georgia Health District's bi-monthly e-newsletter, EPINews! In these bi-monthly issues, you'll find updates from our Infectious Disease Department that are relevant to the health and well-being of North Georgians.
The topics covered in the August-September issue include a DPH health advisory about an increase in syphilis cases, the Diamond Shruumz products recall, an update on this year's flu vaccine composition, the schedule for our counties' upcoming Drive-thru Flu Shot Clinics, information about the National Immunization Awareness Month campaign, our most current local COVID-19 data snapshots, and the latest on our county health departments' Back to School Health Screenings & Immunizations services.
To view the newsletter, simply click on the graphic below or visit this provided link. Enjoy EPINews!
To read our June-July Issue of EPINews, please click here.
- Hits: 1008
- Written by: Jennifer King, Public Information Officer
- Category: Press Room
On August 1 during World Breastfeeding Week, Aug 1 - 7, the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners® (IBLCE®) is hosting IBCLC Appreciation Day to celebrate the breastfeeding support that International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) provide to families.
Our North Georgia Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) team wants to give special applause to their dedicated Breastfeeding Peer Counselors (BFPCs) with the following shout-out as we highlight each of their own personal breastfeeding story! We encourage our staff, families, and others in our communities to show their gratitude to our BFPCs on IBCLC Appreciation Day for their vital lactation care expertise. #ThanksBFPCs
WIC Peer Counselors
What is a Peer Counselor?
Peer counselors are proven to help moms breastfeed successfully. They are more than just support for moms; they are their partner to help and encourage them. They are trained to provide mother-to-mother support when they need it.
A WIC Peer Counselor can:
- answer questions and concerns
- provide consults in the WIC clinic or on the phone
- assist you with breastfeeding resources available from the WIC program
- refer you to a Breastfeeding Expert
- most of all, be there to listen, encourage and support YOU!
North GA WIC Peer Counselor Shout-Out
"We want to give a big SHOUT-OUT to our amazing North Georgia WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselors!", said Carol Hendrix, BS, IBCLC, district WIC Breastfeeding Coordinator. "You are an invaluable asset as we work closely to provide IBCLC services. Together, we help families who need both emotional support and clinical expertise. The result has been a significant improvement in our breastfeeding success rates and our capacity to provide a supportive environment for families. Your dedication to supporting and empowering breastfeeding mothers is truly inspiring. Thank you for all you do to promote and encourage breastfeeding in our communities. You are making a real difference in the lives of families and we are so grateful for your hard work and commitment. Keep up the fantastic work!"
- Hits: 1282
- Written by: Jennifer King, District Public Information Officer
- Category: Media Releases
K. Mills McNeill, MD, PhDDalton, GA - The North Georgia Health District is pleased to announce the appointment of K. Mills McNeill, MD, PhD, as the district’s new Health Director. Dr. McNeill brings a wealth of experience and expertise in preventive medicine and public health to the six-county health district based in Dalton, Georgia, comprised of Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens, and Whitfield counties.
Dr. McNeill received his medical doctorate from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine in 1975, preceded by a PhD in medical parasitology from the University of Mississippi Medical Center in 1971. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Zoology from Mississippi State University, which he earned in 1968.
With 22 years of active duty in the U.S. Army as a Preventive Medicine Physician, Dr. McNeill retired as a Colonel. His career includes various leadership roles in both the military and public health sectors, such as Senior Medical Officer at the U.S. Army Physical Disability Agency, Director of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-Uganda, Chief of Preventive Medicine Service at various military medical centers, Senior Public Health Physician of the Mississippi State Department of Public Health, and Medical Epidemiologist of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.
Throughout his career, Dr. McNeill has contributed to numerous publications and served on federal advisory committees, demonstrating his commitment to advancing public health initiatives and improving healthcare systems.
In his new role as Health Director of the North Georgia Health District, Dr. McNeill will lead efforts to promote community health and wellness, implement preventive health programs, and address public health challenges in the region. His extensive experience and dedication to public service make him a valuable spearhead of the district's leadership team.
"We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Mills McNeill as our new Health Director," said Louise Hamrick, Deputy Director, North Georgia Health District. "His outstanding qualifications and proven track record in the military and public health make him the ideal candidate to lead our district and support our mission of improving the health and well-being of our community."
Dr. McNeill’s appointment is effective immediately, and he is eager to collaborate with local stakeholders, healthcare providers, and community members to enhance health outcomes and promote a culture of wellness in the North Georgia Health District.
For more information about the North Georgia Health District and its wide range of public health services at the district and county levels, please visit www.nghd.org.
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- Back to School Health Fair at Gilmer County Health Dept. Happens Tues., July 30th!
- Our Emergency Preparedness e-Newsletter, July-August 2024 Issue
- Launching: Our Newest E-Newsletter: Environmental Health News!
- Closed Fourth of July
- Helping Mamas® Partners with Cherokee County Health Department
- PICKENS COUNTY BACK TO SCHOOL BASH, Tuesdays, July 9th & 23rd
- Back to School Health Clinics at Cherokee Co. Health Dept. Centers, Tuesdays: 7/23, 7/30, 8/6
- Closed for Juneteenth, Wednesday, June 19th
- EpiNews, June-July Issue, North Georgia Health District E-Newsletter
- Back To School Health Screenings & Immunizations Are Now Available!