2004 - 2005 Scholars and Projects

Members:  Mike Ottaway, Kathy Lordo, Tim Ingram, Jerry Lautz, Gary Miller, Tonda Francis, Nancy Patterson
Team Leader: Kathy Lordo, kathy.lordo@hamilton-co.org, Hamilton County General Health District, Assistant Health Comissioner
Project:  Mobile Medical Unit Development. * The Hamilton County project focused on the development of a comprehensive alternative care center (ACC). The ACC is a medically stocked modular tent system that can be utilized in the event of a disaster to minimize the effects of the immediate surge of casualties and worried well. This tent system was used in Alabama following Hurricane Katrina. The mission of this project was to provide the existing healthcare infrastructure physical resources to minimize the effects of the surge of casualties and worried well following a disaster situation. The local healthcare system's response to surge capacity was evaluated and one of the deficiencies was the third tier or the community response. Through research of several similar concepts, a three-component strategy was created to satisfy the need and accomplish the mission: shelter, supplies and staff. The goal was to make the response as modular, flexible and mobile as possible. Utilizing funding from the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) and structure of OPHLI, the project moved forward and made significant headway.
Location:  Hamilton County, OH

Single Scholars

Scholar: Stephan Ruckman, MPH, RS, stephan@delawarehealth.org, Delaware General Health District, Environmental Health Director
Project:  Isolation / Quarantine Policy Development. * Steve’s project originally focused on research and policy development regarding implementation of mass quarantine or isolation following a communicable disease outbreak. He then developed educational materials targeted at policymakers and public health officials in Ohio to address the need to educate legislators on the importance of isoluation and quarantine as a public health control.
Location:  Delaware, OH

Scholar: Jason Orcena, MA, jorcena@yahoo.com, Union County Health Department, Director of Health Education and Community Partnerships
Project:  Developing Heath Partnerships with Local Businesses.  Jason’s project focused on organizational change and the application of Public Health Initiatives to such changes within private sector organizations. The development of the project resulted in a framework that is being applied to new partnerships within the Union County community. The initial project is now being expanded into a larger research project.
Location:  Union County, OH

Scholar:  Ron Southerland, DVM, ronohvol@neo.rr.com, Director of Veterinary Technology Program, Kent State University Tuscarawas; Public Health Staff Officer, Directorate of the Command Surgeon General
Project:  Foodborne Bioterrorist Attack in Public Schools. *  Ron’s project focused on assessing the potential of foodborne bioterrorist attacks against public schools in the Akron area. The assessment results are being used to raise awareness on the subject of school food safety and to highlight areas at risk for potential target.
Location:  Summit County, OH

Scholar:  Rosemary Chaudry, PhD, MHA, RN, chaudry.1@osu.edu, Assistant Professor of Clinical Nursing, The Ohio State University College of Nursing
Project: Lead Poisoning.  Rosemary’s project focused on the early detection of lead poisoning in children in Marion County. The projects goals included increasing screening rates among children, increasing the medical and general community’s knowledge of lead poisoning, and improving the lead level rates in children already tested.
Location:  Marion County, OH

Seated: Rosemary Chaudry, Dennis Murray, Melissa Sever (staff), Des Dillon (speaker) Joanne Pearsol (staff), Kathy Lordo; Standing: Tom Edwards, Michael Ottaway, Gary Miller, Paul DePasquale, Stephan Ruckman, Donna Laake, Tim Ingram, Tonda Francis, Jerry Lautz, Jason Orcena, Ron Southerland; Missing from picture: Nancy Patterson

(Revised 7/24/07)