FOR RELEASE: September 30, 2004
CONTACT: Pamela Williams
Office of Communications
405/271-5601

Public Health Teams Return from Florida Deployment

Two volunteer teams of public health professionals returned today from deployment by the Oklahoma State Department of Health to the Florida Panhandle where they participated in health/relief efforts following the destruction left by Hurricanes Ivan and Jeanne.

The 32 state and county health department staff left Sept. 22 and were almost immediately involved in a variety of work assignments to assure public health services were available in the Panhandle counties hit hard by the recent hurricanes.

Oklahoma’s teams were the first out-of-state teams to respond following a personal request to the Oklahoma State Department of Health’s Chief of Nursing by the Florida Department of Health’s Nursing Office.

“This was truly public health in action,” said State Health Commissioner Dr. Michael Crutcher. “We were able to provide much-needed services and gain experience in emergency response.”
A list of the volunteers and the counties they represent follows.

HURRICANE RELIEF VOLUNTEERS
Susan Boyd Nursing Service, OSDH
Marsha Nichols, Canadian Co.
Catherine Craig, Pittsburg Co.
Vicky McCullough, Tulsa Co.
Terry Geisler, Screening & Special Services, OSDH
Debra Beloncik, Lincoln Co.
Marilyn Gates, Payne Co.
Keith Reed, Pittsburg Co.
Cindy May, Murray Co.
Sharon Capps, Wagoner Co.
Leanne Beale, Human Resources, OSDH
Diane Garrison, Human Resources, OSDH
Sharon Cutler, Public Hlth. Lab, OSDH
Kathy Cline, Pottawatomie Co.
Gunnar McFadden, Budget & Funding, OSDH
Annette O'Connor, Payne Co.
Karen Weaver, Jackson Co.
Palma V. Miller, Pittsburg Co.
Jill Larcade, LeFlore Co.
Jamie Mackey, Muskogee Co.
Rick Garner, Rogers Co.
Ken Cadaret, Immunization Division, OSDH
Lana Tibbetts, Grady Co.
Tracy Nava, Payne Co.
Carolyn Parks, Screening & Special Services, OSDH
Suzanne Rodgers, LeFlore Co.
Debra Dickson, Community Health Services, OSDH
Beverly Davis, Community Health Services, OSDH
Karen Beeman, Public Hlth. Lab, OSDH
Deanna Sexton, Pittsburg Co.
Michael Echelle, Pittsburg Co.
Debbie Gallamore, Maternal & Child Health, OSDH

###