BOARD OF HEALTH

Agenda

1. Board Member Dr. Irum Ziauddin, acting on behalf of Vice Chair Tahira Malik, called the meeting to order at 5:01 pm.
2. Board Member Dr. Darlene Beck asked about the Deputy Commissioner of Family & Community Health role. Commissioner Totoraitis said the job posting had closed recently. Board Member Dr. Irum Ziauddin asked for an update on the food drive. Commissioner Totoraitis will share the press release about the final success of the food drive. MHD hopes to do this again to support the community.
3. - STI Clinic Commissioner Totoraitis reported on the recent temporary closure of the Keenan STI Clinic, referring to longstanding issues with staffing – including turnover, burnout due to lack of full staffing, and the use of temporary staff (which was an imperfect fit given flexibility demands vs the regular schedule of the clinic). In response to these issues, the clinic pivoted to streamlining services down to express treatment and testing for a time before deciding to close temporarily. FQHCs are also struggling to maintain nursing staff in this area. MHD is pursuing new hiring approaches to address this need. Recently, MHD has been utilizing on site interviews during hiring fairs. So far, there have been 30 applicants, 12 qualified candidates, and 6 offers being made. Commissioner Totoraitis offered his thanks to the staff at Keenan for welcoming candidates/doing tours as well as Deputy Commissioner Brown, HR Director Lindsey O’Connor, and Naomi Jenkins for developing workflows for the clinic. Commissioner Totoraitis also thanked DER for being willing to innovate on screening processes. Moving forward, MHD is committed to reopening the clinic at full staffing levels to avoid similar staff turnover issues. At this time, clients being directed towards FQHCs and Planned Parenthood. MHD is investigating stopgap measures for offering some services in the meantime at Keenan. Plans are underway to cross-train the new Neighborhood Nursing team to backfill at the STI Clinic. MHD is collaborating with Ascension to investigate partnership solutions. MHD currently anticipates new staff in January, so TBD end of January/beginning February for reopening the clinic. Board Member Caroline Gomez-Tom thanked Commissioner Totoraitis for his leadership in this situation. Board Member Dr. Irum Ziauddin was glad to hear of the cross training and collaboration with the medical system. Commissioner Totoraitis spoke to similar success with other medical system collaborations, such as working with MHSI to allow MHD to begin Hepatitis C screening. Board Member Dr. Irum Ziauddin asked the type of staff at the clinic. Commissioner Totoraitis said nursing vacancies were the issue driving clinic closure. The highest level of staff at the clinic is nurse practitioners. Board Member Dr. Irum Ziauddin encouraged considering PAs and competitive salaries. Commissioner Totoraitis said the last market analysis for nursing staff was 3 years ago and that MHD has the support of Common Council and the Department of Employee Relations to conduct a new one. Commissioner Totoraitis also highlighted that those salaries were meant to be commensurate with the regular, predictable hours of the clinic and benefits of the city. Board Member Dr. Darlene Beck asked about hiring associate degree nurses/LPNs while in school with onsite training. Commissioner Totoraitis said Deputy Commissioner Brown was exploring this option. MHD is also mapping a pathway from paid intern to get full credentials while working at MHD to create a nursing pipeline. - MCH Strategic Plan At this time, the contract has not been signed yet. The work will include a full data scan as well as engagement with the Board, residents, and community partners. Commissioner Totoraitis thanked DHS and MHCP for serving on the selection committee. The contract will be announced soon.
4. No updates.
5. (a) Improving Branch Collaborations / Branch Collaboration Assignments (tentative hold for February) (b) OSF Budget (c) CHAP update (tentative hold for February) (d) Presentation of DHS 140 Level III Certification by Matthew Collie (February)
6. Untitled item
7. Board Member Caroline Gomez-Tom motioned to approve, Vice Chair Tahira Malik seconded, and the motion passed with all in favor and none opposed.
8. This meeting will be in-person with a virtual option. Please join from your computer, tablet or smartphone using the link provided below or by calling the number provided. Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86995479556?pwd=5ZDur1AT3dlznN7xsUaUxbbmSqbO22.1 Meeting ID: 869 9547 9556 Passcode: 111270 One tap mobile +13092053325,,86995479556#,,,,*111270# US +13126266799,,86995479556#,,,,*111270# US (Chicago)
9. Untitled item
10. Call to Order
11. Roll Call
12. Approval of Minutes from November 5, 2025
13. Community Updates
14. Communication from Commissioner Dr. Mike Totoraitis
15. Branch Collaboration
16. Future Agenda Items
17. Adjournment
18. Board Member Dr. Ian Martin motioned to adjourn, Board Member Caroline Gomez-Tom seconded the motion, and it passed with all in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 5:36 pm. Next meeting February 2026
19. 241393 Communication relating to the documents submitted to the Board of Health for its meetings in 2025.
    Communication
20. Untitled item
21. In the event that Common Council members who are not members of this committee attend this meeting, this meeting may also simultaneously constitute a meeting of the Common Council or any of the following committees: Community and Economic Development, Finance and Personnel, Judiciary and Legislation, Licenses, Public Safety and Health, Public Works, Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development, and/or Steering and Rules. Whether a simultaneous meeting is occurring depends on whether the presence of one or more of the Common Council member results in a quorum of the Common Council or any of the above committees, and, if there is a quorum of another committee, whether any agenda items listed above involve matters within that committee’s realm of authority. In the event that a simultaneous meeting is occurring, no action other than information gathering will be taken at the simultaneous meeting.
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