HEALTH BRIEFS
Lupus presentation at Andrews

Ferris

Kathleen Arntsen, President/CEO of the Lupus Foundation of Mid and Northern New York, will be the guest speaker on Clinical Trial Participation on Feb. 15 at Andrews Institute. The presentation, taking place in conference room B from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., includes an overview of Clinical Research Trials with definition, purpose, and significance in developing new treatments. The objective of her presentation is to educate participants on how to recognize the benefits and risks of clinical trial participation and learn how to locate regional trial sites. A free 16 page booklet will be distributed to each participant which includes a glossary of terms, overview and lupus clinical research trial opportunities.

Sandra Frear, Secretary of the Lupus Foundation of Mid and Northern New York, will be our guest speaker on the Partnership for Prescription Assistance Program (PPA). Her presentation includes an overview of the PPA with definition, how it works, its accomplishments and how individuals can become involved.

Ferris joins Nemours

John P. Ferris, Jr., DO, has joined Nemours Children's Clinic in Pensacola as a pediatric orthopedic surgeon. Dr. Ferris's received his medical degree from the Western University of Health Sciences: College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific in Pomona, CA. Dr. Ferris completed his residency in Orthopedic Surgery from Mount Clemens General Hospital in Michigan From Michigan State University, as well as, a clinical fellowship in Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery at Children's Hospital in New Orleans, LA. from Louisiana State University. His specialties includes the treatment of idiopathic adolescenscoliosisc l u b f o o t hip deformities and sports medicine by arthroscopy.

Dr. Ferris joins Robert Stanton, MD in a team approach to treating children with orthopedic disorders in Northwest Florida and surrounding areas.

Health department welcomes Jacobs

The Santa Rosa County Health Department (SRCHD) welcomed Shannon L. Jacobs, M.A., M.P.H. as its new Administrator on Monday, February 4. Jacobs comes to the Health Department from Tallahassee, where he served as the Statewide Services Director of the Florida Department of Health. Prior to working in Tallahassee, Jacobs was the Director of Operations for the Jefferson and Madison County Health Departments, and he has held many leadership positions in the private sector. In addition, he has earned a Master of Public Health degree from Florida State University and a master's degree in Public and Corporate Communication from the University of South Alabama.

More information on the Santa Rosa County Health Department is available online at www.doh.state.fl.us/chdsantarosa, or by calling 850-983- 5200.

The Santa Rosa County Health Department employs almost 90 people at its facilities in Milton and Midway. The Health Department provides clinical services such as primary care, family planning, pregnancy testing, and testing for sexually transmitted diseases. They also provide pediatric dental care services, conduct health promotion and health education activities, and monitor communicable diseases. In addition, SRCHD offers environmental health services such as septic tank inspections, response to foodborne outbreaks, public and private water testing, public swimming pool inspections and rabies control.