Minutes

Southern Nevada District Board of Health
Chief Health Officer Succession
Committee Meeting

Thursday, October 26, 2006 - 9 a.m.

Clemens Room
Southern Nevada Health District Ravenholt Center
625 Shadow Lane
Las Vegas, Nevada

Chair Fairchild called the meeting of the Chief Health Officer Succession Committee to order at 9:15 a.m. She noted that she had been provided with the Affidavits of Posting and Mailing of Agenda meeting notices, as required by Nevada’s Open Meeting Law. The Affidavits will be incorporated into the Official Minutes.

Committee Members Present:

Donna Fairchild Chair, Council Member, Mesquite
Jim Christensen, MD Physician, Member-at-Large
Tom Collins Commissioner, Clark County
Susan Crowley Environmental Specialist, Member-at-Large
Joe Hardy, MD Physician, Member-at-Large
Tim Jones Regulated Business/Industry, Member-at-Large
Mary Jo Mattocks, RN Registered Nurse, Member-at-Large (alternate for Member Toney)
Lawrence Weekly Councilman, Las Vegas (alternate for Member Reese)

Absent:

Gary Reese Councilman, Las Vegas
Debra Toney, RN Registered Nurse, Alternate Member-at-Large

Executive Secretary:

Donald S. Kwalick, MD, MPH

Legal Counsel:

Stephen R. Minagil

Other SNHD Board of Health Attendees:

Jimmy Vigilante Alternate At-Large Member, Regulated Business/Industry
Lonnie Empey Alternate t-Large Member, Environmental Specialist

Staff: Lawrence Sands, DO, MPH; Glenn Savage; Mike Walsh; Angus MacEachern; Jane Shunney; Rory Chetelat; Deb Williams; Leo Vega; Forrest Hasselbauer; Diana Lindquist; Shelli Clark

Public attendance:

Michael Trofimenko Touro University

II. Discussion

A. Review Applicant(s) for Chief Health Officer position

Chair Fairchild asked Dr. Kwalick for information relative to the applicant process. Dr. Kwalick deferred to Angus MacEachern, Human Resources Administrator. Mr. MacEachern reported that typically recruitment for this type of position takes between eight and twelve months. As the original recruitment began in June 2006 for the Assistant Health Officer position, we are currently five months into the process. Advertising for this position will conclude in November. Staff should be able to present names of interested applicants to the Board in November/December. It has been difficult to find qualified applicants for the position because of the strict requirements: a) medical degree; b) master of public health; and c) experience in public health. As applications are received, staff verifies the applicants meet the necessary requirements.

At present, staff would like to complete the outreach process. A California firm has been contacted to assist in recruiting applicants. Mr. MacEachern suggested the committee meet staff in November to discuss the recruitment process at that point.

Chair Fairchild asked if there were a specific closing date in mind for the recruitment. Mr. MacEachern responded that a closing date would be set the first part of November, pending return of four applicant packages that are in circulation.

Dr. Kwalick stated that the requirements are very stringent. Medical licensing in Nevada can take several months. He understands that for high profile positions a national search is warranted; however with the nature of the position considering those applicants with experience in Nevada may be worthy of consideration. Of the twenty applications received, he feels that only three applicants really meet the requirements. One applicant is involved with military service until next year; one applicant will retire from another health department next year; the third applicant is an internal candidate gaining valuable experience in the daily operations of a large health district. All applicants meeting the minimum requirement can be brought before the Board including a tabulation of experience; however looking towards the uniqueness of the position and Nevada itself, applicants with experience in the area may be better suited to the complexity of the position. There are 35-40 different programs requiring timely decisions on a daily basis to meet the needs of the public’s health in Clark County.

Chair Fairchild reminded the Board that the Assistant Health Officer position remains unfilled and could be a transitory position for the Chief Health Officer. She asked if committee members would be available to meet the week prior to the next Board meeting to review applications and decide how to proceed.

Committee members expressed interest in receiving application packets electronically. Member Christensen said that he needed time to review the applications to make an informed decision. Mr. MacEachern explained that due to confidentiality concerns, packets can be made for manual distribution to the committee.

Mr. MacEachern said that all outstanding applications should be received by November 9th.

Chair Fairchild said that as a committee they can determine how to proceed, either recommending to the Board to fill the position of Assistant Health Officer or continuing recruitment – there are several options. Member Hardy said he felt that for transition, moving forward with the Assistant Health Officer would be wise. Member Crowley asked if applicants for the Chief Health Officer position could be considered for the Assistant position. Mr. MacEachern explained that some applicants initially applied for the Assistant and agreed to be considered for the Chief Health Officer.

There are currently six applicants that meet the criteria for the position. There are four applicants that meet minimum requirements as learned in telephone discussions, but their applications have not been received by HR staff.

It was decided that the committee will meet again on Wednesday, November 15th at 3pm. The committee will have the opportunity to review the applications and formulate individual decisions concerning how to proceed. Mr. MacEachern said that November 9th will be the initial closing date for the position.

Member Collins asked about advertising markets and what firm is used to recruit hard to fill positions. Dr. Kwalick said that the places and agencies were those that have physicians that meet the requirements: American College of Preventive Medicine; American Association of Public Health Physicians, APHA, other kinds of organizations having doctors with the necessary training and experience to fill the position. Applicants may have deferred interest due to the announcement of the assistant position not realizing the succession process. Mr. MacEachern said that public health related websites were used for recruitment: including the American Association of Public Health Physicians, Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, National Association of City and County Health Officials, American College of Preventive Medicine, Publichealthjobs.net, home health careers, our own website, Public Health Dispatch, Review Journal and other websites. A list was developed of public health agencies around the US and staff distributed over 200 letters to those people. Chair Fairchild asked if public health periodicals were included. Mr. MacEachern stated that those types of publications were included in the recruitment process. Member Collins asked for more information regarding the firm used to recruit for hard to fill positions. Mr. MacEachern said that the district often uses California Personnel Services, which is a private agency that specializes in private sector testing and placement. They perform recruitment work throughout the nation, but are located in Sacramento. They are a well-established firm that has done work for the federal government, most of the states, and a lot of work in California.

III. Public Comment

Items raised under this portion of the Agenda cannot be acted upon by the Board of Health Committee until the notice provisions of Nevada’s Open Meeting Law have been complied with. Therefore, any action on such items will have to be considered at a later meeting.

Chair Fairchild asked if any members of the public wished to be heard. There was no response.

Chair Fairchild closed this portion of the agenda.

IV. Discussion / Action

A. Next steps for Chief Health Officer Succession Committee

HR will prepare individual packets for each committee member. A phone call will be made to each committee member to ascertain how they would like to receive the packets. Currently, there are six applicants and that number is expected to grow. The remainder will be supplied as they come available. Only applicants who meet the minimum requirements will be forwarded to the committee. Chair Fairchild asked if packets could be received by November 11th for review.

Mr. MacEachern said that the packets would be ready by November 9th. Dr. Kwalick said that the packets and a tabulation of requirements will be ready early next week.

The committee will meet on Wednesday, November 15th at 3pm. Chair Fairchild asked the committee to review the applications and formulate individual decisions concerning how to proceed.

Chair Fairchild reminded the committee that all application materials are confidential until the committee meets again.

V. Adjournment

There being no further business to come before the Chair Fairchild adjourned the meeting at 9:36 a.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Donna Fairchild, Chair