We got sued again this week regarding our Medical Marijuana Program. This time we’re getting sued because the Plaintiffs think that our 1-year deadline for getting a dispensary up and running is too restrictive. Basically, the Plaintiffs allege that the legal issues that have arisen in response to the White Mountain Health Center, Inc. (a [...]
Our country’s disaster preparedness system is really a matrix that starts with families and goes all the way to a coordinated federal response. In between are local first-responders, county public health and emergency management, and state public health and emergency management. But really- the real first first-responders are moms, dads, grandmas and grandpas and even kids. [...]
Every year we get reports of wild animals with bizarre behaviors like approaching people rather than running away, charging vehicles, latching on to arms of joggers and refusing to let go, even walking into a bar. In many cases, these animals are found to be rabid. Bats are usually our most frequent reservoirs for rabies in AZ… [...]
A special thanks to our team that worked the US Public Health Service’s Scientific and Training Symposium this week. Several of our staff hosted informative booths during the Symposium. A special thanks to Clarisse Tsang who hosted a break out session related to newborns and Hepatitis B. It was a special treat to have 3 Surgeon’s [...]
Earlier this week the Arizona Department of Administration issued a “Stay Order” for transition related activities connected with the transfer of our Maricopa County Behavioral Health Authority from Magellan to Mercy Maricopa Integrated Care. This isn’t uncommon during protests, and the Stay wasn’t issued on the merits of the award protest. It’s more of a [...]
This week there were about 120 home-birth enthusiasts demonstrating in front of our building for about 3 hours. The crowd was expressing their unhappiness about our draft regulations for Licensed Midwives. You might have also seen the Arizona Republic article on the demonstration. As I’ve written before, we started the process of revising the rules for [...]
A few weeks ago we were named the #1 social-media-friendly state health department in the U.S due to our robust social media presence and content including blogs, live streaming events, online forums, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram, G+, Flickr and other social media environments. This week we were highlighted in the latest National Public Health Information Coalition Newsletter. [...]
Our Lab just finished a major website makeover. Check out the new Laboratory landing page which will lead you to Newborn Screening, Microbiology, Chemistry, and Lab Licensure and Certification.
Summer is almost here and the kids are wrapping up the school year. Let’s challenge families to end the school year on the right foot. Why not try walking or biking to school? The mornings are still nice enough to walk. Make it a family activity; role model healthy behavior, leave the car keys at [...]
Heat is the number one killer among all weather related causes of death across the country and in Arizona… more than tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, and wildfires combined. It doesn’t get much attention because it’s hard to take a picture of heat- but it’s easy to take a picture of hurricanes and tropical storms. The AZ [...]
