More than 2,300 dogs, cats and ferrets received rabies vaccines from MCHD weekend clinics



The Mobile County Health Department's veterinarian gave more than 2,300

rabies shots to local pets during weekend clinics between June 2013 and May 2014.

MOBILE, Ala. – Every month of the year the Mobile County Health Department plans a series of Saturday rabies clinics throughout the community so residents have a low-cost option for staying up-to-date on required vaccinations for their dogs, cats and ferrets. Thousands of pets come to the weekend clinics with their owners to take advantage of the service. In June, the rabies clinics will be held at the following locations:

1:30 p.m. - 4 p.m., June 14, Pet Supplies Plus, 803 Hillcrest Road, Mobile
12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m., June 21, City of Mobile Animal Shelter, 855 Owens St.
12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m., June 28, City of Mobile Animal Shelter, 855 Owens St.

This month, the cost of the vaccine is $10 per pet at the Animal Shelter and $8 per pet at Pet Supplies Plus. Only cash is accepted, health officials said.

New Mobile County numbers: Between June 2013 and May 2014, 2,331 cats, dogs and ferrets were vaccinated by the Mobile County Health Department’s veterinarian during weekend events, records indicate. The state of Alabama tasks local Health Department’s with providing rabies vaccinations to pet owners throughout the year.

Rabies and its symptoms: Rabies is a virus that attacks the central nervous system. It is transmitted from infected mammals to man and is fatal once symptoms appear. Symptoms of rabies include unusual behavior, irritability, headache, fever, inability to eat or drink, balance problems, circling, seizures, coma, and, finally, death. All warm-blooded mammals, including man, are susceptible to rabies.

Preventing the spread of rabies: Exposure to rabies may be minimized by eliminating all stray cats and dogs; having pet dogs, cats and ferrets vaccinated; staying away from wild animals, especially those acting abnormally; and not keeping exotic or wild animals as pets, health officials said.

Mobile students featured in MCHD billboards urging parents to talk to kids about sex

Photo illustration of a billboard by MCHD's TEEN Center featuring members
of the Youth Leadership Team in Mobile. The campaign began in June, 2014.
 

MOBILE, Ala. – Five local students are being featured in a series of billboards going up around town as the Mobile County Health Department works to lower the teen pregnancy rate along the Gulf Coast. The students are Kierstyn Johnson of LeFlore High School, Maya Harris of Baker High School, Gregory Robertson, Robert Henderson of LeFlore High School and Jaquan Battles of Baker High School.

Thousands of local motorists are reading an important message each day on a popular digital billboard as they drive east bound down Government Street near the loop. The featured students take part in the TEEN Center’s Youth Leadership Team and stand next to a message that encourages residents to “Think About It.”

“If they are talking to your kids about sex, so should you” reads part of the message. The website for the TEEN Center, Thinkteen.org, also is featured at the bottom of the image. The idea behind the outdoor advertising, which was paid for with grant funding, is to raise awareness in the community that young teenagers are talking about and having sex more often than their parents and guardians may ever suspect.

Studies show that the children of parents who talk to them about the risks of sexual activity at a young age are less likely to engage in such activity during high school years, health officials said. Visit ThinkTeen.org for information on ways to talk to your chidren about the harmful effects of risky behaviors.

 

Another digital billboard with the same image and message is located at Interstate I-65 South and is visible to motorists heading south out of Prichard heading toward Mobile across from the Bright Spot. Other print billboards are scheduled to be up on June 9 at St. Stephens Road north of Gloria Street and on York Drive, across from Northside Check Exchange in Toulminville and on Dauphin Island Parkway north of Robinhood Drive.

 

 

 

MCHD represented at career fair and business expo





Peggy Howat, director of Human Resources for the Mobile County Health
Department, speaks with a participant during a recent career fair held in Mobile.

MOBILE, Ala. – Members of the Mobile County Health Department’s Human Resources Division recently shared information with the job-seeking public about a number of opportunities for employment at Alabama’s oldest public health agency.

Cynthia Smith and HR Director Peggy Howat participated in the South Alabama Regional Planning Commission (SARPC) 16^thannual Business Expo and Job Fair on Thursday, May 1, 2014. The job fair was held in Expo Hall in downtown Mobile. Organizers with the regional planning commission estimated that at least 3,000 people attended.

 



Free health screenings offered by Family Health staff in Prichard on May 24

Family Health staff members pose for a photo with Prichard Mayor Troy Ephriam
 on Saturday, May 24, 2014, during an Adopt-A-Block event at City Hall.

 

MOBILE, Ala. – The Mobile County Health Department’s Mobile Medical Unit was in

Prichard Saturday, May 24, 2014, for the Adopt-A-Block program held at City Hall.

Between 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. MCHD staff members provided free

screenings for blood pressure and weight checks, as well as clinical breast exams to those

who qualified, in its health clinic on wheels.

 

About MCHD and Family Health

Since 1816, the Mobile County Health Department and its staff have worked to promote and protect the health of those who live and work in Mobile County. For more than a
decade, MCHD has been continuously accredited by the Joint Commission and was the first public health agency in Alabama with this designation. More than 40,000 patients visited the Mobile County Health Department’s nine primary care sites, which are now
known as Family Health, in 2013.

MCHD's Family Health launches new website

A new name and a new modern logo might get a little lonely without an amazing new website to highlight all the services provided by Family Health staff members.

Mobile County Health Department staff members James Currie and Shikher Mishra -- armed with input from Family Health administrators and MCHD’s marketing department -- have been diligently working to construct an original website for Family Health that’s user-friendly and easy on the eyes. We think you’ll agree it’s one of the most comprehensive sites around.

 We are officially launching the new site this afternoon. There are plenty of photos of our friendly staff members, along with lists for every health care provider and every clinical site. When you have a few minutes, be sure to check out all the new bells and whistles at www.familyhealthalabama.org  

 

Spirit Award claimed by Hippie Revolution during 2014 MCHD Hunger Games

Members of the Hippie Revolution celebrate with Health Officer Dr. Bernard
Eichold at the end of a spring training even held at Ft. Whiting in Mobile on
May 8, 2014. The team claimed the Spirit Award during the Hunger Games.

 

MOBILE, ALA. -- During the 2014 MCHD Hunger Games, judges selected the Hippie Revolution, a team consisting of members from the agency's Human Resources Division for the Spirit Award. Some team members wore tie-dyed T-shirts emblazoned with the Hippie Revolution logo, plus crazy wigs, sunglasses and specially designed tattoos.

Team members were Joel Tate, Peggy Howat, Jeanne Harris, Irma Reyes, Laura Stuart and Joann Bennefield. MCHD employees take part in an annual spring training event as a way to learn about new programs and services offered by the health agency and to sharpen team building skills they can take back to the workplace.

During the May 8 event, participants heard from Health Officer Dr. Bernard Eichold as well as Joel Tate, assistant health officer, who talked about the agency's strategic plans. Those who are interested in joining any of the strategic planning teams should contact Sherry McCrory at smcrory@mchd.org

Food and Lodging win MCHD Hunger Games

Members of the Food and Lodging Division of the Mobile County Health
Department accept a team trophy from Health Officer Dr. Bernard Eichold
during a spring training event held at Ft. Whiting in Mobile on May 8, 2014.

 

MOBILE, ALA. -- Nearly 500 Mobile County Health Department employees took part in the agency's spring training held at Ft. Whiting on May 8, 2014. Staff members learned about the value of dynamic customer service from a Dr. Phil tribute artist. A choir sang and danced, urging everyone to clap along and get happy.

During an afternoon Hunger Games competition, a dozen six-member teams competed for designer trophies and bragging rights. A series of fast-paced play-off games determined the overall winners. The Food and Lodging Division scored the most points, earning a First Place certificate and trophy. Team members were: Stephanie Woods-Crawford, David Montgomery, Brad Philips, Kendrin Wright, Bradley Philips, Adreienne Tricksey and Edward Franklin. Phyllis Morris and Wade Russell served as alternates.

Second place was awarded to Team 20/32 consisting of members of the Optometry and Dental Departments of Family Health. Team members were: Dr.Kerri Bowie, Dr. Chason Weinaker, Dr. Kelly Crooker, Debra Patterson, Brandi Jones and Eckaydra Baker.

The third place winners were the Royal Flushes, a team from MCHD's Onsite Division. Team members were: Ted Micher, Tina Bourg, Heather Stafford, Darran Merifield, Paul Antoine, Bobby Dixon and Gale Gibbons.