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MINUTES-Draft <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH <br /> May 28, 2025 <br /> $25,000,000 in additional public health funding for counties statewide, and in response <br /> $2,000,000 was redirected from the Nurse Family Partnership for public health work, <br /> which was very disheartening. <br /> • The BOCC is in the midst of budget season and there have been many budget <br /> proposals and work sessions. Ms. Stewart said that the Health Department is in a <br /> quandary about staffing, as there are significant vacancies in the clinic's staff and there <br /> has been a surge of maternal health patients, pushing the clinic beyond its capacity. She <br /> thanked Dr. Stuebe and Dr. Pettigrew, who have been providing assistance with <br /> referrals, and added that they are working with neighboring counties to reduce patient <br /> load, for example by encouraging residents of other counties to seek services at their <br /> local county health department. <br /> • Ms. Stewart said that the Health Department is in the early stages of a capacity <br /> assessment to determine if the department is appropriately staffed, and that they have <br /> received four applications from outside providers and are working to select a vendor to <br /> conduct the assessment. In response to Dr. Jonnal's question about hosting residents, <br /> Dr. Pettigrew said that there are adequate healthcare providers, but not enough of <br /> everything else. Ms. Julian added that there is not enough space. Dr. Jonnal observed <br /> that there is a national nursing shortage, as nurses are underpaid and overworked. Dr. <br /> Rodgers said that the environment needs to be changed in order to retain nurses, as <br /> currently nursing is an exhausting job — patients are sicker than they used to be, there's <br /> so much paperwork, there is a lack of mentorship as senior nurses are largely burned <br /> out, and it's just too stressful to provide care long-term. Dr. Stuebe referenced the book <br /> Why We Revolt:A Patient Revolution for Careful and Kind Care by Victor Montori. Ms. <br /> Stewart added that she's hopeful about the results of the evaluation and added that <br /> there are some funds that have been set aside for a future renovation to expand the <br /> clinic space. <br /> • Dr. Royce asked about Mr. Bagby, as he was not present this evening. Ms. Stewart said <br /> that she hoped he would attend the June meeting, as it would be his last before his <br /> resignation and she has a plaque to honor him. Dr. Stuebe confirmed that Mr. Bagby <br /> was an at-large board member and encouraged everyone to promote the soon-to-be <br /> open position to their friends and colleagues, saying that the search to find a new at- <br /> large board member would begin soon. <br /> X. Adjournment <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Amy Fowler to adjourn the meeting at 8:56 p.m., <br /> was seconded by Dr. Shielda Rodgers, and carried without dissent. <br /> The next Board of Health Meeting will be held June 25, 2025, at the Orange County Health <br /> Department, 300 West Tryon Street, Hillsborough, NC at 7:00 p.m. <br /> Respectfully submitted, <br /> Quintana Stewart, MPA <br /> Orange County Health Director <br /> Secretary to the Board <br /> S:\Managers Working Files\BOH\Agendas &Abstracts\2025 Agenda and Abstracts/ <br /> May Page 9 <br />