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| | | | Chair Dr. Wujie Zhang called the meeting to order at 5:02 pm. | | | |
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| | 3. | | Approval of Meeting Minutes from March 5, 2025 | | | |
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| | | | Vice Chair Tahira Malik motioned to approve, Board Member Alder JoCasta Zamarripa seconded, and the motion passed with all in favor and none opposed. | | | |
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| | 5. | | Communication from Health Commissioner Totoraitis | | | |
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| | | | Communicable Disease
Commissioner Totoraitis shared that it is now the tail end of respiratory season; MHD is continuing to monitor the situation as it is typical to see an increase in Influenza B this time of year. At this time, respiratory illness is still tracked via wastewater surveillance (although this may be impacted by federal funding cuts moving forward).
Board Member Ericka Sinclair asked about the status of measles in Milwaukee at this time and activities to prepare for and prevent measles. Commissioner Totoraitis reported that suspect cases have been reported to the department but none were confirmed. Commissioner Totoraitis said this was not worrying because providers tend to overreport possible measles cases out of an abundance of caution when they’re aware of measles cases elsewhere. MHD’s team then tracks the case. In the event of confirmed measles cases locally, MHD would reuse its response plan from 2 years ago since it functioned well. MHD has recently conducted data analysis to inform future MMR vaccination campaigns.
Federal Updates
Commissioner Totor | | | |
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| | 6. | | Introduction of Dominique Hyatt-Oates, new Deputy Commissioner of PIE | | | |
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| | | | Chair Dr. Wujie Zhang welcomed Deputy Commissioner Dominique Hyatt-Oates. Deputy Commissioner Hyatt-Oates introduced herself, including her background and history at MHD.
Board Member Ericka Sinclair asked for a brief introduction to the Deputy Commissioner of PIE’s role. Deputy Commissioner Hyatt-Oates spoke to the Health Strategy, Data & Evaluation, and Marketing/Communication teams and their work.
Board Member Caroline Gomez-Tom asked for time on Deputy Commissioner’s calendar as part of her branch assignment.
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| | 7. | | Presentation of the State Legislative Package | | | |
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| | | | Research & Policy Coordinator Bethany Kasprzyk presented MHD’s section of the 25-26 State Legislative Package, including background on the city’s lobbying situation, the timeline for development of the legislative package, and MHD’s current policy priorities.
Board Member Caroline Gomez-Tom asked about how the legislative packaged is used and about collaboration on advocacy between cities and other entities. Bethany said that MHD responds to legislative review requests from the city’s Intergovernmental Relations Department, which then go to Common Council; once approved, these reviews are used to inform the city’s official registered opinion on a bill. Commissioner Totoraitis shared that WPHA and WALHDAB coordinate efforts between cities to respond to bills of interest.
Board Member Ruthie Burich-Weatherly asked about how MHD reports this legislative work back to the community. Bethany responded that MHD shares legislative progress information with the community through MKE Elevate.
Board Member Ericka Sinclair thanked staff for the presentation and spoke to the importanc | | | |
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| | 8. | | Branch Collaboration Updates | | | |
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| | | | Board Member Caroline Gomez-Tom will be setting up future meetings to stay informed on PIE operations with Deputy Commissioner Hyatt-Oates.
Staff will reshare branch collaboration assignments to the Board.
Board Members should reach out to Shadonna Vickers about rescheduling the lab tour.
Board Member Ruthie Burich-Weatherly highlighted that next week (starting April 7) is National Public Health Week.
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| | | | Chair Dr. Wujie Zhang motioned to adjourn, Vice Chair Tahira Malik seconded the motion, and it passed with all in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 6:09 pm. | | | |
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| 0 | | Communication | Communication relating to the documents submitted to the Board of Health for its meetings in 2025. | | | |
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