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For more information on this project, contact Aaron Hilliard, Environmental Health Director at the Duval County Health Department.

DUVAL COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
June, 2004 Environmental Medicine Progress Report

In response to the growing number of environmental and human health concerns associated with the discovery of several dumpsites around Duval County, the City of Jacksonville, and the Duval County Health Department (DCHD) created the Citizens Health Advisory Council, Inc. (CHAC) in August of 1999. CHAC is an independent citizens group representing non-governmental entities, such as the Citizens Planning and Action Committee, the International Epidemiology Institute, the N.A.A.C.P., the Sierra Club, Jacksonville University, Edward Waters College, University of North Florida, and the Jacksonville Urban League. CHAC, Inc. Members:

In September of 2000, the DCHD obtained a Pace grant from NACCHO to conduct a community needs assessment. The CHAC identified a critical need to educate physicians on environmental hazards. During this time, the DCHD has partnered with area hospitals and academic institutions to communicate the need for local physicians to be educated on the vital roles that environmental health professionals play in preventing disease. While conducting these educational sessions, it became evident that this type of training would be beneficial to physicians in several other counties within the state.

First Quarter
Dr. David Johnson visited Jacksonville on January 28th to observe Dr. Aaron Hilliard give an Environmental Medicine Lecture to the University of Florida Pediatric Residents at Shands Hospital.

 Meetings were scheduled to attend Hillsborough and Miami-Dade Counties to assess the need and discuss strategies for implementing the Environmental Medicine Training.

Second Quarter
Dr. Hilliard, Dr. Turner, and Dr. Johnson visited Hillsborough County and Miami-Dade County to discuss strategies for implementing Environmental Medicine Training. Approximately 5 Hillsborough County Staff (Director of Health Department, Administrator of EH, Division Head for Epidemiology, and 2 Physicians) were present at the meeting. It was determined that future meetings would be held in August, September, and October 2004 to implement the Environmental Medicine Training. This training will be offered in a 'Grand Round' setting to physicians, nurses, and other staff with medical backgrounds. It was determined that more work will need to be done to establish relationships with the Universities in Tampa to implement this training beyond the health department.

We met with approximately 9 people (Head of Pediatrics, 2 Physicians, 3 Faculty Members, 2 Residents, Miami-Dade CHD representative) in Miami-Dade County. It was discovered that similar to the University of Florida, the University of Miami also receives Dyson Funding. Environmental Medicine Training was implemented in Jacksonville through the Dyson Initiative.

The model in Jacksonville will be used to replicate the Environmental Medicine Training of Pediatric Residents in Miami-Dade County. It was determined that the first training session will be held in June. Additional sessions will be determined at a later date. A meeting will be scheduled with the Miami-Dade EH Director on the next visit to discuss training and to facilitate the rotation of residents.

In May 2004, CME's and CEU's were established for participants who attend the trainings.

In Miami-Dade County, Dr. Hilliard gave the first Environmental Medicine Training to pediatric residents in June. It was well received. They are in the process of identifying a person to conduct future training sessions. Additional training sessions will be scheduled for September and October. A survey was given to each resident to evaluate the presentation.

During this visit, Dr. Hilliard and Dr. Tiffany Turner met with the EH Administrator of Miami-Dade County. Mr. Samir Elmir was very receptive to the training. He also volunteered to serve as the trainer. In addition, he will establish contact with the University of Miami to facilitate the Pediatric Residency Rotations.

Future updates will be given once additional trainings are completed.