McLaury Named Permanent MDCH Chief Deputy Director
The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) has named David J. McLaury as its new, permanent Chief Deputy Director, officials announced today in Lansing.
"We are fortunate to have such an experienced administrator choose to join us as Chief Deputy Director permanently," said Janet Olszewski, MDCH Director. "I am certain that David will continue to serve MDCH wonderfully as Chief Deputy Director with the same commitment, intelligence, and tenacity that he brought to the job in an interim capacity."
McLaury has more than 32 years of administrative experience serving in various leadership roles within MDCH, utilizing strong management and analytical skills affecting positive changes within the state agencies he has worked. McLaury has served as interim chief deputy director since June 5, 2006. He assumed the role of Chief Deputy Director on December 18.
As Chief Deputy Director for MDCH, McLaury oversees day-to-day operations of the department's Medical Services Administration, which manages the state's $7 billion Medicaid program; the Health Policy, Regulation, and Professions Administration, which manages health policy, health professionals and systems, regulatory and legislative affairs; the Public Health Administration, which manages the state's efforts to improve and protect the public health; and the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Administration, which manages the state's efforts to assist citizens that are mentally ill, along with MDCH's overall business and financial operations. He reports directly to Olszewski.
Previously, McLaury served as Director of the Bureau of Medicaid Financial Management and Administrative Services in MDCH's Medical Services Administration. Among other projects, McLaury served as project manager for HIPAA transaction and code set revision projects, and managed the implementation of MDCH's data warehouse project and the revision of the state's Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS).
Prior to his work in Medicaid, McLaury spent his first 25 years of state service in the former Michigan Department of Public Health and served in several capacities including substance abuse services, budget and finance, Chief Information Officer, and eventually became that agency's Public Health Administrator.
McLaury, 58, holds both bachelors and masters degrees from Rutgers University. He has a wife, Elizabeth, and four grown daughters. He resides in Delta Township.
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Grosse Pointe Woods Physician Has License Summarily Suspended
The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) has summarily suspended the license to practice medicine of Geraldine M. Hardy, M.D. The MDCH Bureau of Health Professions orders a summary suspension when it believes that the public's health, safety, and welfare warrant emergency action.
From of January 2005, through June 2006, Hardy purchased approximately 25,900 Tylenol #3 tablets, 25,500 Tylenol #4 tablets, 283,850 Xanax tablets and 138,000 Vicodin tablets from a pharmaceutical wholesale company. Hardy failed to report the controlled substances she had dispensed to patients from her office, as required by state law. On July 12, 2006, Hardy surrendered her federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration. After surrendering her DEA registration, Hardy continued to prescribe prescription drugs and controlled substances.
On December 6, 2006, MDCH issued an order summarily suspending Hardy's medical license. An administrative hearing will be scheduled to address the status of Hardy's license.
For more information on disciplinary actions taken by the health professional licensing boards within MDCH, please go to www.michigan.gov/mdch, and click on Health Systems and Licensing.
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Ionia Doctor Has License Summarily Suspended
The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) has summarily suspended the license to practice medicine of John F. Hildebrandt, M.D., based on his felony conviction in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Southern Division.
On April 19, 2006, Hildebrandt was convicted of one felony count of Mail Fraud. As a result, Hildebrandt was placed on probation for a period of two years with conditions and assessed a fine, restitution and fees in the amount of $194,106.
The conviction stemmed from Hildebrandt's controlled substance prescribing which, in part, aided and abetted patients in their submission of false claims to Medicaid and Express Scripts for payment of the prescriptions. Hildebrandt failed to report his conviction to MDCH as required by the Public Health Code.
On November 29, 2006, MDCH issued an order immediately suspending Hildebrandt's license pursuant to the Public Health Code, which provides for the mandatory summary suspension of a health professional's license upon the conviction of a felony. An administrative hearing will be scheduled to address the status of Hildebrandt's license to practice medicine.
For more information on disciplinary actions taken by the health professional licensing boards within MDCH, please go to www.michigan.gov/mdch, and click on Health Systems and Health Profession Licensing.
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Michigan Releases Groundbreaking Health Information Technology Recommendations
LANSING-State officials released new health information technology recommendations today that will improve the quality of Michigan's health care and reduce health care costs by allowing health care providers to have improved access to patient health care information at the point of care and allow Michigan citizens to have improved access to their own information.
The 115-page Michigan Health Information Network (MIHIN) report outlines a plan that will improve the quality, safety, and efficiency of health care delivery by accelerating the adoption and use of health information technology and health information exchange (HIE). Granholm has charged the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) and the Michigan Department of Information Technology (MDIT) with bringing together Michigan's health care and business stakeholders to develop a vision and plan for the future of health information technology and exchange in Michigan.
"Successfully accomplishing major advances such as these requires a collaborative approach, and we have engaged more than 200 stakeholders throughout our continuous effort," said Janet Olszewski, MDCH Director. "Michigan has the potential to make significant progress in the widespread usage of health information technology and the implementation of HIE, and this report provides the roadmap to get us there."
"This report provides a comprehensive blueprint for accelerating the use of health information technology in our great state and establishing an statewide health information exchange," said Teri Takai, MDIT Director. "We are excited about the possibilities for Michigan as we work to revolutionize health information technology in our state."
The report contains two major goals for the state of Michigan in the coming years: evolving patient health records to a uniform format for all health care providers and outlining in detail how the state of Michigan can assist a regional approach to integration of a statewide health information network. The report can be found online by going to www.michigan.gov/mihin.
To support the MIHIN goals, the Michigan legislature passed legislation (P.A.137-2006) to create Michigan's first Health Information Technology Commission and appropriated $5 million to fund regional health information exchange projects in FY 2007. Goals for the next phases of the MIHIN project include:
- Creation of a consumer brochure providing information about the MIHIN and HIE, which is available today on the MIHIN website.
- Development of a Request for Proposal (RFP) process for regional HIE planning and implementation funding. And an RFP for a Statewide HIE Resource Center that will support regional HIE efforts. Both RFPs have been released today and are available for review on the MDCH web site at www.michigan.gov/mdch.
"Without a doubt, the funding provided by the state to assist regional HIE initiatives in the process of collaborating, developing and implementing their exchanges will prove invaluable," said Dr. Tom Stevenson, Michigan HIT Commission Chair. "Although each region will have to demonstrate the ability to remain financially viable as they roll out their exchange, this start-up funding will provide the impetus and momentum to get their projects off the ground."
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State Sees Seasonal Increase In Norovirus Cases
LANSING-Officials from the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) today reported an increase in norovirus activity around the state.
"Though norovirus cases occur each year throughout the state, this time of year typically brings an increase in activity," said Janet Olszewski, MDCH Director. "Norovirus is extremely contagious and we urge all citizens to take the proper precautions to protect themselves and others from this illness."
Since November 1st, the MDCH has received 28 reports of suspected and/or confirmed norovirus outbreaks occurring at restaurants, hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and parties/receptions.
Norovirus outbreaks are more common during the colder months and often occur in closed, congregate settings. With the holiday party season approaching, MDCH would like to emphasize the importance of hand washing and staying home if ill. Norovirus, incorrectly called "the stomach flu", can cause acute gastroenteritis (or GI illness) in humans.
Norovirus is very contagious and can spread easily between people and can be acquired by touching contaminated objects.
The symptoms of norovirus infection include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramping, and low-grade fever. Symptoms usually occur within 24-28 hours after ingestion of the virus, but can appear as early as 12 hours after exposure.
Norovirus is transmitted by eating contaminated food (food that was prepared/handled by another ill person), person-to-person contact (typically in health care facilities), aerosolization (of vomited material), or environmental contamination (surfaces such as doorknobs, faucets, tables, etc.).
If infected, a person is contagious the moment symptoms begin and remains contagious for at least 3 days after symptoms end. The illness is usually brief, with symptoms lasting one to two days.
The following steps are recommended for those feeling ill:
o Wash your hands - Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water, scrubbing vigorously for at least 20 seconds. Hand washing is the best method of prevention.
o Stay at home - If you are ill with vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and/or nausea, do not go to work or attend group events.
o Disinfect with bleach - Promptly disinfect surfaces contaminated by stool or vomit with a bleach-based cleanser. For bathroom fixtures, use 1/3-cup bleach in 1 gallon of water.
o Do not prepare food for others - If you are or were feeling ill with vomiting and/or diarrhea, do not prepare food for others (i.e. food for restaurants, potlucks, parties, dinners, etc.) for at least 3 days after symptoms have ended.
o Food preparation practices - Carefully wash fruits and vegetables, and steam oysters before eating them.
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Social Worker Has License Summarily Suspended
The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) has summarily suspended the licensed bachelors social worker license of Lee D. Maki, L.B.S.W., based on felony charges that were filed in the 96th Judicial District Court, Marquette County.
On June 28, 2006, Maki was charged with two counts of Embezzlement-Agent or Trustee $1,000 or More but Less Than $20,000, both felonies. The matter was based on criminal charges that stemmed from Maki's mishandling of a patient's funds and criminal charges are currently pending in the 25th Judicial Circuit Court, Marquette County.
On November 13, 2006, MDCH issued an order immediately suspending Maki's license. An administrative hearing will be scheduled to address the status of Maki's licensed bachelor's social worker license.
For more information on disciplinary actions taken by the health professional licensing boards within MDCH, please go to www.michigan.gov/mdch, and click on Health Systems and Licensing.
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