HEALTH Keep City's Director
Posted on: Friday, 15 July 2005, 15:00 CDT
The proposed firing of Jeffrey Goldhagen as the local health director illustrates a dramatic lack of interest in Jacksonville by state Health Department officials.
They did not consult with the Mayor's Office before they took action against an effective public official, now being reconsidered. Worse, they should have taken more time to study Goldhagen's innovative partnerships before they proposed breaking their contract with the University of Florida.
If they had spent more time, they would learned that the health department built by Goldhagen in his 12 years as director is a model of governmental efficiency.
While city and state funding to the health department have been flat in the last five years at about $15 million in total, Goldhagen has produced $35 million in additional revenue from other sources such as grants and clinical services. This means more services to Jacksonville's needy citizens.
The local health department is a leader in delivery of dental services, pediatric services, toxicology and HIV services. It provides health care to foster children and is the only health department in the state with a child psychologist, Goldhagen said.
The reasons for Goldhagen's proposed firing seem due to a technicality. Apparently there was a conflict in accepting $25,000 for teaching at the University of North Florida in 2000 and 2001. What is wrong with a state official teaching at a state university in his spare time?
In fact, Goldhagen's work with UNF helped them establish a master's degree program in public health, which already is producing benefits to this community. Similar collaborations with the University of Florida and Florida A&M have also proved helpful.
The citizens of Jacksonville need Goldhagen's leadership. And the state of Florida, rather than dismiss him, should be finding ways to replicate his partnerships with universities.
We join Mayor John Peyton in supporting him.
Source: Florida Times Union
Related Articles
- Pediatric Heart Transplants at Montefiore Approved By NY State Department of Health
- State Department of Health Launches Redesigned Web Site
- State of Florida Approves BGA, Inc. As Certified Provider of Energy Efficiency Services
- Medical Consultants Network (MCN) Awarded Contract With Washington State Department of Health to Provide Clinical Expertise for Health Professions Discipline
- DHL Selected As the Exclusive Courier Services Provider for the State of Florida
- Indiana State Department of Health Safeguards Critical Laboratories With 22 Franek Technologies Power Protection Systems
- State Department of Managed Health Care Grants Specialized Vision Knox-Keene License to March Vision Care
- Verizon Wireless Completes New Capitol Area Cell Site to Serve Florida EOC, Other State Departments
- New Health Plan for the State of Florida Launches Dynamic Products Statewide
- OK State Department of Health Seeks Proposals for Abstinence-Only Education Projects
 |
 |
User Comments (0)
RSS Feeds